French Studies 397N - ST- Medicine in France

Did you know that Louis XIV was responsible for surgery being recognized as a branch of medicine in France, and Napoleon was one of the firsts to encourage vaccination? That Marie Curie discovered radium, still used today to treat some forms of cancer, and philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau played a crucial role in the creation of pediatrics? In this course, you will discover all the medical oddities and feats that shaped today's France. We will discuss the ethical questions that arose from such a rich history and how it led to a public healthcare system funded by the government (and taxes), covering all residents, regardless of their economic situation. The course will also prepare you to use medical lexicon in both everyday and professional situations. Through readings, field videos, debates and role-playing, you will acquire an extensive knowledge of the medical sphere in French. At the end of the semester, students who wish to do so will have the possibility to take the Diplome de Francais Professionnel Medical offered by the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris ' a certification recognized in the United States.