UC Santa Barbara

Since France and the French language are demonstrably prominent in a variety of significant global initiatives, I believe that there is widespread agreement about the important role that France continues to play in the world. It brings strengths to international affairs and serves as a counterpoise to what Claude Hagège, in his recent book Contre la pensée unique, sees as the unhealthy predominance of English and its commercial values. Finally, and most significant to North-American francophones and francophiles, a strong program of French studies contributes to our linguistic, cultural, and literary enlightenment.