Summer School 2026 <Contemporary Europe> Session 5 > Summer School at KU

• 목록

On June 30, the fifth session of the summer course, , was held. Professor Chang Rhyong Oh introduced the politics and society of France, examining the historical foundations of the French Republic and the contemporary challenges facing the country. Students learned about the legacy of the French Revolution, the principle of laïcité (French secularism), and the institutions of the Fifth Republic, including France’s semi-presidential system and electoral process.

The lecture also explored the transformation of France’s party system, focusing on the decline of the traditional left-right political order, the rise of President Emmanuel Macron, and the emergence of a three-bloc political landscape. Students examined the 2024 snap parliamentary election, the role of the front républicain in preventing a far-right majority, and the growing political fragmentation that has reshaped French democracy.

In addition, the session discussed major social issues in contemporary France, including immigration, secularism, national identity, and the rise of the far right. By analyzing the country’s colonial legacy, debates over integration, regional inequality, youth politics, and recent security challenges, students gained a deeper understanding of the social and political tensions shaping modern France and their broader implications for European politics.