Introduction of French Literature

Course Description

This course is an introduction to French Literature from the 19th century to the 21st century, and it looks at representations of Paris. Readings have been chosen to introduce students to Paris's multiple and changing faces. The course is based on the major literary genres (novellas, autobiography, theater, poetry and novels). Students will become familiar with some of the important literary movements of the modern period: realism, naturalism, symbolism, existentialism, etc.

This course, entirely conducted in English, includes visits to museums and a night at the theatre.

 

Suggested subject areas for this course: Philosophy/Women's Studies/ Business/Urban Studies/History/French

 

Learning Outcomes

The course also seeks to develop students' written and oral rhetorical skills as well as their analytical skills through the following :

? Class discussion on readings, in which close attention is paid to both form and content of literary works and the use of textual evidence to support an argument

? Oral presentations on writers' lives and general work

? Comprehension of the vocabulary of literary analysis and ability to analyze literary texts

? Put into practice literary analysis by confronting various genres (poetry, short stories, theater, novel)

? Writing assignments in essay-format, which are evaluated in terms of argumentation, structure, close reading, and students' choice of evidence to support a thesis

 

The midterm and final exams test students on how well they have engaged with the social, historical and literary-artistic questions raised over the course.

 

Course Materials

We will be using English translations of each of these texts, either in books or included in your course reader, which will also include certain critical pieces on the texts:

Selected poems by Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Verlaine, Hugo, Apollinaire, Prévert [CR]

Texts/selections by Balzac, George Sand, Zola, Aymé, de Beauvoir, Camus [CR]

Colette, Gigi, trans. by Antonia White

Eugene Ionesco, The Bald Soprano, trans. by Donald M. Allen

Yasmina Reza, God of Carnage, trans. by Christopher Hampton

Course Reader ([CR] hereafter)

Students need to buy the following books: Colette, Gigi and Reza, God of Carnage. Details will be provided in class.

 

Attendance and Participation

Attendance, participation and site visits are mandatory. It is essential that you attend all classes and participate actively. For the purposes of this class, participation means reading the materials in advance, coming to class on time, staying for the entire class period, and actively taking part in discussions and other in-class exercises and activities. Any tardies or absences will have a strong negative effect on your participation grade.

There will be no make-up exams. No late papers will be accepted. Only hard copies of your essays will be accepted.

 

Entrance to museums is free. Students should prepare additional cost for the show at the Huchette Theater.

 

Grades

Participation and in Class Discussion 25%

Oral Presentation 15%

2 Short Essays (2-3 pages) 20%

Midterm Exam 20%

Final Exam 20%

 

Changes

Changes to all matters may become necessary. The instructor reserves the right to make such changes.It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the most recent iteration of the syllabus.

 

A Note on Electronic Devices

As a courtesy to your instructor and fellow students, please do not use cell phones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, or other electronic devices during class, even to check the time (except for oral presentations). Make sure phones are turned off. No recording (audio or visual) of class sessions will be permitted.

 

Course Schedule (Subject to change at instructor's discretion)

 

1st Part : Poetry

 

Week 1

Paris, a Poetical Picture

Introduction to poetry: technical vocabulary.

Baudelaire, Rimbaud: Selected Poems on Paris [CR]

 

Week 2

Paris, a Poetical Picture

Hugo, Apollinaire,Prevert: Selected Poems on Paris [CR]

Oral Presentation 1: Hugo

Oral Presentation 2: Apollinaire and Prévert

Outing 1: Hugo's Memorial House

6, Place des Vosges 75004 Paris

Details TBA

2nd Part : Prose

 

Week 3

Balzac's Artistic Paris

Oral Presentation 3: Balzac

Introduction to prose: technical vocabulary. Stylistic devices.

Balzac, The Unknown Masterpiece [CR]

 

Week 4

Balzac's Artistic Paris

Balzac, The Unknown Masterpiece

Outing 2: Balzac's Memorial House

47, rue Raynouard 75016 Paris

Details TBA

 

Week 5

From Paris to the Bourbon Isle: A Woman's Choice

Oral Presentation 4: George Sand

George Sand, Indiana [CR]

Outing 3: Museum of Romantic Life

Hôtel Renan-Scheffer 16, rue Chaptal 75009 Paris

Film: Impromptu (TBC)

Details TBA

 

Short Essay #1 is due

 

Week 6

Department Store Shopping and Social Repercussions

Oral Presentation 5: Zola

Zola, Ladies' Paradise [CR]

A Woman's Blossom into the Belle Époque

Oral Presentation 6: Colette

Colette, Gigi

 

Fall Break

 

Week 7

Midterm Exam

Film: Gigi

 

Week 8

Fantastic Paris

Oral Presentation 7: Marcel Aymé

Marcel Aymé, The Man who Could Walk through Walls [CR]

Paris: An Awakening Scene

Oral Presentation 8: Simone de Beauvoir

Simone de Beauvoir: The Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter [CR]

Outing 4: Montmartre

Details TBA

 

3rd Part : Theater

 

Week 9

Absurd and Existentialist Paris

Introduction to theater: technical vocabulary.

Oral Presentation 9: Camus

Camus, The Misunderstanding [CR]

Oral Presentation 10: Ionesco

Ionesco: The Bald Soprano

Outing 5: Night at the Théâtre de la Huchette (Day&Time TBA)

23, rue de la Huchette 75005 Paris M. Saint-Michel

Additional cost: 10/17 euros

 

Short Essay #2 is due

 

Week 10

Absurd and Existentialist Paris

Ionesco, The Bald Soprano

Parisian Couple in Crisis

Oral Presentation 11: Reza

Reza, God of Carnage

Film: God of Carnage

 

Week 11

Final Exam

Outing 6: Literary Tour at Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Details TBA