Department of French and Italian

Good War, Bad War: Resisting the Nazis, Occupying Algeria
The class will delve into the complex moral issues of engaging in a “good” or a “bad” war by looking at two major events that have shaped contemporary French culture and society: World War II (1939-1944) and the War in Algeria (1956-1962). We will look at the life-and-death choices faced by ordinary French citizens during the Nazi Occupation and Vichy Regime before turning to the brutal but ultimately failed military operations France conducted in its North-African colony of Algeria trying to stop the country from gaining its independence. To understand the collective context and individual dilemmas created by these two wars, will use historical and literary works, along with episodes from the very popular series Un village français and the classic film La Bataille d’Alger. Taught in French.

• A&H
• What are CASE requirements?