French & Religion in Morocco

During Block 9 2008-09, Cornell French students will explore the exotic French-speaking culture of Morocco. The religion course Islam and Postcoloniality in Contemporary Morocco will be co-led by French professor Devan Baty and religion professor Steven Sacks.

The preliminary itinerary includes excursions into the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains, and visits to the cities of Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakech. Baty says the course fits perfectly with the department’s goal of exposing students to the broader French-speaking world.

“This course will help our French students better understand the historical and cultural complexities of the Francophone world,” she says. “It will also enrich their learning about the continuing post-colonial relationship between North Africa and France; a relationship that is fraught with tensions over the political role of Islam versus secularism, gender roles, and the politics of immigration.”

She adds that the French students will go a step deeper in their cultural immersion, thanks to their language skills.

“French students will do many course readings and discussion sections in French, and will be expected to write their final projects in French,” Baty says.  “They will also have many opportunities to use their French when they meet Moroccan students and others during the trip.”