What happens when the study of French is no longer coterminous with the study of France? This text explores the ways in which considerations of difference, especially colonialism, postcolonialism and race have shaped French culture and French studies in the modern era. rejecting traditional assimilationist notions of French national identity, contributors to this volume demonstrate how literature, history and other aspects of what is considered French civilization have been shaped by global processes of creolization and differentiation. The book demonstrates the necessity of studying France and the Francophone world together and of recognising not only the presence of France in the Francophone world but also the central place occupied by the Francophone world in world literature and history.