This course considers ways in which culture embodies ideological concerns. Ideology can be seen as a potent system of concepts, myths, images and representations which, in any given society, affirm a hierarchy of values and seek to shape individual and collective perception and behaviour. Such a system of ideas is tied to an economic, political, ethnic or other grouping, expressing and valorising its interests. As such, ideology has certain basic functions: it rationalises a vision of the world and presents that view as universal; it seeks to eternalise historically particular and relative values; it mystifies by disguising the true nature of a situation, masking class interests; it seeks to achieve social stability; it mobilises individual and collective energies and directs these towards action.

The workings of ideology are explored through study of key issues in French culture at different periods in its history: these include the movement in the twentieth century from colonisation to decolonization; issues of immigration, working-class life and gender roles; and the aftermath of the second World War in French society.