SIR World Languages Investigation Abstract
DEFINING CULTURE AND IDENTITY THROUGH PHILOSOPHY, SOCIOLOGY AND FILM
Presenter:
Valerie M. Simonis, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Advisors:
Ms. Brenda Crosby, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Ms. Willa Shultz, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Abstract:
My independent study in French started as a possibility for me to explore my roots as a Belgian-American IMSA student and to appease an internal struggle I have experienced to define myself. To gain a basic knowledge of philosophy I delved into Le Monde de Sophie by Jostein Gaarder and leaned into existentialist philosophy with La Nausée by Jean-Paul Sartre. Though both books sparked conversations about fundamental philosophy, I was most intrigued by the cultural analysis of the book Cultural Misunderstandings: the French-American Experience by sociologist Raymonde Carroll. Continuing with Genesis of 20th Century Philosophy by Harry Prosch, Confessions by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and select readings from psychologist Carol Gillian, I was exposed to many different forms of literature that helped me form many new hypotheses on culture and identity that I kept note of in a journal. Intrigued by the art form of cinema, I wish to present my hypotheses with the help of a short film in both French and English documenting my journey with this independent study.