Presenter(s): Claire Putman
Co Presenter(s): Bridget Johns, Amanda Henney, Myrriah Jones
Faculty Mentor(s): Matthias Vogel & Laurie de González
Poster 190
Session: Global Engagement ARC
In this project, we will examine how France reflects the ideas of the separation of church and state. Specifically, we will look out how it is enforced in every level of schooling. In general, open, outright displays of religion are generally frowned upon in France–but this is enforced more so in schools by law. In 2004, France banned the display of religious symbols and clothing and such in schools, which goes for every religion, including Christianity, even though France used to be a Catholic country. However, this has arguably had a great impact on France’s Muslim student population. In France, there is a very large Islamic population due to its proximity to the northern tip of Africa. Hijabs, headscarves, and turbans are not allowed to be worn in the classroom, so students who practice Islam are forced to sacrifice their expression of religion, which some could say is sacrificing part of their identity. We aim to explore the ways secularism in French schools impacts its students, and, more specifically, the Muslim population of France. After exploring the history of Islam in France, and how Muslims are viewed and treated, we believe that laws set up in the name of secularism are actually created with islamophobic intent.