Cliches are seen as an important part of French culture, with diverse origins (literature, sports, advertising, events, songs), varying longevity, and belonging to different cultural groups for different reasons. It is proposed that their study be an integral part of the study of French civilization. (MSE)

A series of videotapes designed for French classroom use are described, and the principles used in the development of these videotapes are outlined. Examples are provided of videotape topics, and instructional strategies are given from the tapes' texts. (MSE)

Discusses the development of and the popularity of comic strips (the BD or "bande dessinee" in French) in both France and the United States. Argues that comic strips play a major role in French-American cultural exchange because they express each culture and convey their message both visually and linguistically. (SED)

This selected bibliography covers the following categories: general reference works; history, both general and specialized; biographies and autobiographies; human sciences, including sociology and anthropology; politics and government; law; education and language; culture, including art, architecture, music, popular arts, cuisine, and traditions.…

Demonstrates how television and radio commercials for French products capitalize on American and French cultural stereotypes. (AM)

Focuses on activities that took place in courses on contemporary French society. In these courses, students and instructor attempted to develop a series of analytical tools from a systematic body of visual, oral, and textual materials in order to increase cultural understanding and speech styles of French-speaking communities or social groups.…

Discusses French stereotypes in television commercials to supply data with which to confront prejudices that American students bring to French class. Three kinds of commercials are examined: (1) French people promoting French products, (2) non-French people promoting French products, and (3) French people promoting American products. (AMH)

Local news media coverage of events is often ignored as a resource for language instruction. Local coverage is as varied as the national press, and it greatly enlarges the scope of materials available for classroom use. (MSE)

Courses on French civilization and culture should begin with a presentation of essential information, including historical background, role of the state, and the weight and presence of the past. They should move on through public life--politics, commerce, industry, social structures, the media--to the experiences of day-to-day life. (Author/JR)

Describes a two-pronged French civilization program at SUNY at Brockport. A culture course taught in English on modern French life is offered every semester as part of a larger set called "Foreign Cultures in English." A new French concentration now includes four cultural courses taught in French. (AMH)

Two different approaches to the use of French television as an instructional medium in French language (for teaching grammar and vocabulary and for examining its presentation of the French culture) are examined, and their use for teaching two different populations is discussed. An ethnographic approach is taken. (68 references) (Author/MSE)

Trends and cultural differences are examined in the history of the novel in France and the United States since 1906. These trends and cultural differences are proposed as a way of teaching American culture. (MSE)

Roger Ikor's 1972 novel "Le Tourniquet des innocents" is proposed for advanced university-level French culture courses, illustrating how the study of a contemporary novel can be integrated into cultural education. Classroom activities suggested include text analyses, study of cultural themes, and preparation of a lexicon featuring cultural…

A college French civilization course based on the important role of television in French contemporary culture, as formative of cultural habits, and on its similar importance to contemporary American students is described. (MSE)