Assessment 3 (Part 1) Identification of 5 Topics of Current Affairs

Please find below the 5 topics that I intend to follow during my time abroad in order to study any changes or breakthroughs from the current situation.

Islam in France

Following the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January 2015, the religion of Islam has gone under much scrutiny. France has a population of rich cultural diversity and has unified impressively in order to combat any hatred towards the religion rather than the terrorists who carried out the cowardly attacks. However, fear still remains amongst the Islamic population of France that the attacks will lead to a potential boycott of Muslims and they may pay the price for the actions of a minority who radicalised their religion. Not only does this affect France but also each Maghreb country with large Islamic populations.  

Muslims fear backlash after Charlie Hebdo deaths as Islamic sites attacked | The Guardian 2015 [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/08/muslims-fear-backlash-charlie-hebdo-grenades-islamic-france. [Accessed 23 March 2015].

French Universities teaching in English

Teaching in English in French universities has become a topic of great debate over the last few years and continues to spark interest across the continent. Studying certain degrees is demanding enough in your mother tongue, let alone a language that you perhaps learned for 3 hours a week at secondary school. However, many claim that learning in English allows French students to gain a foothold on the competitive international job market. Many French students already speak English to a reasonably high standard and profit from an Erasmus period in an English speaking country – is this not sufficient for those who desire it? The arguments for and against are extremely interesting, especially in a country that strives to protect its own classical language.

French academia in war of words over plan to teach in English |The Guardian 2015 [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/10/french-univerities-english-language. [Accessed 25 March 2015].

More European universities teaching students in English – Telegraph 2015 [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/10369467/More-European-universities-teaching-students-in-English.html. [Accessed 25 March 2015].

Is French football currently dominated by PSG?

Paris Saint Germain are currently flying the flag high for French club football in Europe and are also impressing on a domestic level. The money they are backed by have allowed them to become what is known as a European Super Club and have since splashed the cash for some seriously big names in the game. Winning Ligue 1 has been nothing but a formality for the past few seasons with Lyon, Marseille, Monaco and St Etienne scrapping for the remaining European Cup positions. However, although PSG remain top of the league they are feeling pressure from all sides. I will follow the top flight of French football in order to see how dominant les rouge et bleu really are and what the general attitudes are towards the current champions.

Lyon show Ligue 1 rivals that you do not need PSG’s riches to succeed |The Guardian 2015. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2015/jan/31/lyon-ligue-1-rivals-psg. [Accessed 24 March 2015].

Unemployment

Unemployment levels in France reached an all-time high towards the end of last year. With around 3.5 million people claiming benefits, Hollande has launched a double headed attack on unemployment.
A series of tax cuts for businesses in return for job creation known as The Responsibility Pact is one strategy. Furthermore a package of reforms aimed at opening up France's closed economy will come into play, which includes extending the number of Sundays per year when stores can open their doors. Both reforms have caused controversy and many are unsure if the measures taken will bear any meaningful results.  

France - French unemployment hits new record high in December - France 24. 2015 [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.france24.com/en/20150127-france-unemployment-hits-new-record-high-december/. [Accessed 25 March 2015].

Insee - Indicator - The unemployment rate increased by 0.1 point in Q4 2014. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.insee.fr/en/themes/info-rapide.asp?id=14. [Accessed 25 March 2015].

Regional Languages

The French language is considered sacred to the French people although many do not see regional languages equally so. Campaigners for French regional language rights have called on UNESCO to grant them "cultural asylum" and accused the French state of systematic linguistic discrimination amongst growing concern for the future of languages such as Breton and Occitan.

The current stance on regional language has been accused of hypocrisy, and perhaps rightly so. France protects its official language arduously and so why are they not willing to recognise these regional languages and begin to protect them?

The French protect their language like the British protect their currency | The Guardian 2015 [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/may/23/language-french-identity. [Accessed 25 March 2015].