MSSU France Semester  Why France?  By Dr. Chad Stebbins
Director, Institute of International Studies Missouri Southern
State University  Since 1997, Missouri Southern has selected a
different country or continent every fall to emphasize
throughout the semester. This is one way we attempt to “bring
the world” to the campus, especially for those students who are
unable to study abroad due to work or family obligations.  This
fall is the France Semester, with 63 programs — guest speakers,
concerts, films, plays, and brown bag seminars — on tap to
showcase this diverse country of abundant riches.  But why
France? Here are just a few reasons why this country the size of
Texas is worthy of intense study this semester.  For starters,
few countries intrigue Americans as much as the République
française. Our love-hate relationship with the French goes back
to the days of the American Revolutionary War, when General
Lafayette helped the colonists defeat Cornwallis and end the
war. Indeed, France is the oldest ally of t