1. The author of “Immigration in Postwar France: Lecture 3” raises an interesting question: “perhaps the real issue that we should be considering is not the degree to which immigrants are willing to integrate into French society but how successful has French society itself been at welcoming the immigrants it encouraged to settle in France in the first place?” Comment on the relevance of this question and why you think the author means by asking it. Based on your understanding of the issue of immigration in France, how would you answer this question?

2. What has the far-right’s reaction to the head-scarf affair been? How have more liberal thinkers responded? What is your reaction to their responses?

3. Do you agree that the head-scarf debate is the result of “misconceptions” and “exaggerated fears” as the author of “Immigration in Postwar France: Lecture 3” suggests?

4. Explain your understanding of the term ‘assimilation’. Does this term have positive, negative, or neutral connotations for you? Please provide an example to illustrate your meaning. Why would a Muslim immigrant to France want or not want to assimilate to a French way of life? What do you think this process would entail?

5. John R. Bowen refers to an “Islam of France” and an “Islam in France.” What is the difference between these two Islams?

6. Comment on the role and relevance of language in the immigration debate. In other words, how are French and Arabic used differently, and how are the tongues characterized within the context of the debate?

7. Bowen asks “Should Islamic law be universal, or adapted to fit the norms and conditions of life in different countries or regions?” How would you answer that question?

8. What does Bowen mean when he speaks of “translocality”? can you find a way to apply this term to your own experience in any way?

9. What are the “secondary aspects of religious affiliation” about which Bowen speaks? How and why does the author link the issue of assimilation to private and public spheres in this context? To what extent do you believe it is important for you or anyone else to assimilate or participate in “public conformity”? Explain your answer.

10. Define the term ‘secularity’ in your own words. Does this word have anything to do with the principle of a separation between church and state? Why or why not?

11. What is the difference between a secular and an atheistic nation?

12. What are some of the limitations of the principle of secularity mentioned by the author?

13. Regarding the NYTimes article, “Lifting the Veil for Photo ID Goes Too far, Driver”: Do you agree with Ms Freeman that Florida’s photo ID requirement for a driver’s license violates her religious beliefs? Why or why not?

14. Do you think that if Ms Freeman is willing to be identified by authorities via finger-prints and DNA she really needs to expose her face for the driver’s license photo?

15. How do you think Ms. Freeman’s case was/will be resolved? Explain your answer?

16. What do you make of the Florida Attorney General’s characterization of Ms Freeman as ‘hypersensitive’? What does that term mean and/or imply?