Many students who choose to study abroad do so to gain a better understanding of another country's politics, history and culture. Senior Jonathan Laurence managed to do that and more. After studying the politics of immigration law in France last year, Laurence conceived of the idea to hold an undergraduate research round table on contemporary France.
The event, titled "Les Jeunes Regardent la France," will be held Nov. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the A.D. White House. It is free and open to the public.
"The goal of [the round table] was to organize an event which shows the important and original research done by undergraduates at Cornell," Laurence said.
Laurence, as well as six other seniors, will participate in the daylong conference on contemporary French issues. Like Laurence, most of the participating students studied in France last year and have accumulated research from their studies. Presenters and their research topics are: Lynne Gadowski, "Liberte, Egalite et Sororite? La Parite and France"; Alex Gurn, "French Hip-Hop Culture: Adapted Survival Strategy"; Jonathan Laurence, "A Rejection of the Right? Immigrant Solidarity and Anti-Le Penisme in the Spring of 1997"; Gena Lavallee, "A Historical Study of 'La Princesse de Montpensier' by Mme de Lafayette"; Sara Leeder, "La Resistance Juive: Reflections of the 1990s on the impact of the Jewish resistance in France during the Second World War"; and Janelle Miau, "Locating Jean-Jacques: Derrida's Reading of Rousseau."