French Studies: Plus de souvenirs que d’avenir?

I propose that teachers of French undertake a multi-pronged challenge to abiding myths about France, the most destructive of which is an image of cuisine and couture—as opposed to a center of advanced research in science, mathematics, and engineering. By presenting the reality of French culture in class interventions, we will appeal to a broader set of student interests, enrollments will increase, and we will attract more men into the classroom. We also have to pursue business collaborations, explore what technology can increasingly do for connecting French and American curricula, and make a major fund-raising effort for studyabroad scholarships.