French Studies guest lecture by Prof Olivier Esteves (Université de Lille)
22 Apr 2016
Staff are very welcome to attend this lecture: Freedom of expression or freedom from Islam? The emergence of secularism in French political debate since the 1980s
Chaired by Dr Barbara Lebrun, Dept of French Studies.
Lecture outline
In 2016, secularism (laïcité) continues to be harnessed by French politicians and the media as an essential national value as important as “liberté, égalité, fraternité”. The concept, however, hides multiple tensions. For some, it is about State neutrality and freedom of religious expression; for others, it serves a racist rhetoric against Islam. This talk will ground discussions of French secularism in its relation to Islam by going back to the 1980s, when these issues first became mainstream and official preoccupations. (The talk is delivered in English).
Date, time and venue
26 April 2016, 5 - 6pm, Room 1.218, University Place.
Attendance is free, but booking is essential via the online form.