LEWISTON – Are you interested in learning about the history of the French in North America? Want to develop a greater appreciation for the diversity of French society on our continent? If so, you may want to explore the academic concentration in French North American Studies at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College.

Offered through the baccalaureate program in arts and humanities, the concentration builds on the following two central courses: French North American Studies, a survey of the diversity of French society from Maine to Haiti and Capes to the Yukon, and French Settlement in the Northeast, which examines the exciting dynamics of French settlement in our part of the country.

Individual research is emphasized in both courses, such as investigating Lewiston-Auburn’s heritage and the forgotten French communities in other parts of the state.

The course will be offered during the fall semester by Dr. Barry Rodrigue. The course may also include guest speakers and field trips.

“Students have an opportunity in this course to experience the rich panorama of our continental French heritage,” said Rodrigue. “We employ both sociological and historical approaches to better reflect the diversity of French experiences on this continent and also to break down stereotypes.”

The course will meet from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Sept. 2. Registration is open through the first week of classes. Anyone interested is encouraged to call the college at 753-6530 for registration information.

Students conducting research for these courses have access to the Franco-American Heritage Collection at the college. The collection, formerly known as the Centre d’Heritage Franco-Americain, is an extensive archive of documents, photographs, books and artifacts relating to Franco-American history and culture in Lewiston-Auburn.

The collection is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, call Donat Boisvert at 753-6545.