French
French is one of the top five languages spoken around the world today, spanning the continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas along with the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions. The French major and minor offer preparation in language, literature, culture and film as well as opportunities for study abroad. Our undergraduate program features a rich variety of courses for students interested in studying French in relationship to philosophy and politics, the sciences and the arts, sports, and technology. Our summer, semester and year-long study abroad programs in Nice, Toulouse, Paris and Dakar enable students to deepen their understanding and appreciation of French culture by taking courses in the French university system, living with French families, shadowing doctors in French hospitals, completing internships with French businesses, and traveling extensively. Such experiences are the perfect preparation for careers in international business, global health, international medicine, international law, and international relations or diplomacy.
We also provide our students with a range of linguistic, analytical and theoretical tools necessary for a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of French and Francophone literature and culture to prepare them for a variety of careers or further study. French majors who plan to apply to professional schools or to pursue graduate studies in literature, philosophy, history, art history, music, film, anthropology or other related fields are strongly encouraged to pursue independent research during their senior year. Writing a senior honors thesis provides students with a unique opportunity to combine the study of French language, literature and culture with students' other interests and to work closely with a member of our faculty. Our faculty takes an active interest in our students, providing support and encouragement throughout their studies in order to prepare them to become dynamic, conscientious and informed members of today's global community.
We are pleased to offer our students an ongoing series of guest lectures, films, exhibits, and performances by scholars, authors, and artists of international repute under the auspices of our French cultural center, French ConneXions, recognized as a Centre d'Excellence by the French Embassy. We also host a weekly Francophone table and an annual Francophone week, all of which contribute to our intellectually dynamic and personally rewarding social environment. We regularly host colloquia that attract scholars from St. Louis and around the world.
Please visit our department website to learn more about our French for the Medical Professions track, which offers courses that are cross-listed with Medical Humanities and Global Health.
Contact Info
Contact: | Tili Boon Cuillé |
Phone: | 314-935-5175 |
Email: | tbcuille@wustl.edu |
Website: | http://rll.wustl.edu |
Chair
Julie E. Singer
PhD, Duke University
Endowed Professors
Mabel Moraña
William H. Gass Professor in Arts & Sciences; Director of Latin American Studies Program
PhD, University of Minnesota
Ignacio Sánchez Prado
Jarvis Thurston and Mona Van Duyn Professor in Humanities in Arts & Sciences
PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Elzbieta Sklodowska
Randolph Family Professor in Arts & Sciences
PhD, Washington University
Professors
William Acree
PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Joe Barcroft
PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tili Boon Cuillé
PhD, University of Pennsylvania
J. Andrew Brown
PhD, University of Virginia
Stephanie Kirk
PhD, New York University
Tabea Linhard
PhD, Duke University
Rebecca Messbarger
PhD, University of Chicago
Michael Sherberg
PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
Harriet A. Stone
PhD, Brown University
Akiko Tsuchiya
PhD, Cornell University
Associate Professors
Javier García-Liendo
PhD, Princeton University
Seth Graebner
PhD, Harvard University
Ignacio Infante
PhD, Rutgers University
Eloísa Palafox
PhD, Michigan State University
Assistant Professor
Miguel Valerio
PhD, Ohio State University
Teaching Professors
Elizabeth Allen
PhD, Columbia University
Amanda Carey
MA, Arizona State University
Lionel Cuillé
PhD, Ecole Normale Supérieure Lettres et Sciences Humaines, Lyon
Iva Youkilis
MA, University of Virginia
Senior Lecturers
Marisa Barragán-Peugnet
MA, Saint Louis University
Virginia Braxs
MA, Washington University
Heidi Chambers
MA, Washington University
Erika Conti
PhD, Washington University
Rebeca Cunill
PhD, Florida International University
Jody Doran
MA, Washington University
Rebeca Fromm Ayoroa
ABD, Princeton University
Vincent Jouane
PhD, Washington University
Silvia Ledesma Ortiz
MA, Saint Louis University
Nancy Kay Schnurr
MA, Middlebury College
Lecturers
Nuria Alcaide Garcia
MA, Washington University
Elizabeth Bernhardt
PhD, University of Toronto
Mark Dowell
MA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kat Haklin
PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Dawn Mohrmann
PhD, Washington University
Nelson Pardiño
MA, Florida International University
Eliza Williamson
PhD, Rice University
Irene Zurita Moreno
PhD, University of Florida
Professors Emeriti
Nina Cox Davis
PhD, John Hopkins University
Elyane Dezon-Jones
Doctorat de 3e Cycle, University of Paris
John F. Garganigo
PhD, University of Illinois
Pascal Ifri
PhD, Brown University
Stamos Metzidakis
PhD, Columbia University
Michel Rybalka
PhD, University of California, Los Angeles
Joseph Schraibman
PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Colette H. Winn
PhD, University of Missouri-Columbia
The Major in French
Total units required: 30 (27 for second majors)
Required courses for students matriculating Fall 2021* and later:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
French 307D | Cultural Expression | 3 |
French 321 or 322 | One "In-Perspective" course | 3 |
French 360 or 361 | One "Thinking-It-Through" course | 3 |
French 370s-390s | One "In-Depth" course | 3 |
French 4xx | Two 400-level seminars | 6 |
- *
French 204D Intermediate French II no longer counts toward the major. Students pursuing the major earn the remainder of their credits by taking our rich 300- and 400-level elective offerings in French and Francophone literature, language, culture, and related disciplines in the arts and sciences. Majors may count one course taken abroad toward the satisfaction of their Thinking-It-Through or In-Depth requirement.
Total units required for students matriculating prior to Fall 2021*: 27
Required courses for students matriculating prior to Fall 2021**:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
French 307D | Cultural Expression | 3 |
French 308D | Introduction to Literary and Cultural Analysis | 3 |
French 325 | French Literature I: Dramatic Voices: Poets and Playwrights | 3 |
French 326 | French Literature II: Narrative Voices: Fiction and Nonfiction | 3 |
French 411 | Intensive Writing in French: Timely Topics | 3 |
or French 4131 | Advanced French and Translation | |
French 4xx | Upper-level seminar before the Revolution (Medieval, Renaissance, 17th- or 18th-century) | 3 |
French 4xx | Upper-level seminar after the Revolution (19th- or 20th-century or Francophone) | 3 |
Total Units | 21 |
- *
Students who take French 204D (or, prior to Fall 2019, French 201D French Level III: Intermediate French) may count it as one course toward the major (out of nine for the second or ten for the prime). Students also may count one 3-credit course toward the major that is taught in English by a member of the French faculty, either within or beyond the bounds of the department at Washington University. This course must be at the 300 level or above and does not replace the requirements in French.
- **
Students who matriculate prior to Fall 2021 have the option of switching to the new major requirements if they prefer. Permission from the director of undergraduate studies in French is required.
Additional Information
Courses taken Pass/Fail do not count toward the major. Students must maintain an average of B- or higher and are expected to maintain a B average or better in all French courses. Both 400-level courses required for the major must be taken at Washington University. All primary majors must complete a capstone experience by achieving a B+ or better in one of the 400-level seminars.
Study Abroad: French majors are encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. Summer programs are available in Paris, Nice, and Senegal, and semester abroad programs are available in Toulouse and Paris. Up to 6 credits from each program can count toward the major. Students should complete an In-Perspective course prior to going abroad to Nice, Toulouse, or Paris.
Please refer to the French home page for more information about French study abroad programs and for our French for the Medical Professions track.
Writing Intensive (WI) Courses: Students wishing to satisfy the university Writing Intensive requirement within their French major may do so by taking either French 411 Intensive Writing in French: Timely Topics or French 4131 Advanced French and Translation. These Writing Intensive courses are not seminars, are not required for the major, and do not replace the major requirements.
Senior Honors: Students who have maintained at least a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.65 through the end of the junior year are encouraged to work toward Latin honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude). To qualify for Latin honors in the major by thesis, a student must complete special literary research and prepare and orally defend an honors thesis, which is judged by an honors faculty committee. To qualify for Latin honors by course work, a student must complete four literature courses at the 400 level (including two in literature before 1800) and present two critical essays written for those courses to be judged by an honors faculty committee. Recommendations for Honors are based on performance and the quality of the thesis or critical essays in addition to the student's cumulative GPA.
Transfer Credits: 21 of the 30 units required for the major must be taken in residence. Courses not taken at Washington University may count toward the major only with departmental permission.
The Minor in French
Total units required for students matriculating Fall 2021 and later: 18
Required courses for students matriculating Fall 2021* and later:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
French 307D | Cultural Expression | 3 |
French 321 or 322 | One "In-Perspective" course | 3 |
French 370s-390s | One "In-Depth" course | 3 |
- *
French 204D Intermediate French II no longer counts toward the minor. Students pursuing the minor earn the remainder of their credits by taking our rich 300- and 400-level elective offerings in French and Francophone literature, language, culture, and related disciplines in the arts and sciences. Units earned from study abroad will be transferred as elective credit.
Total units required for students matriculating prior to Fall 2021*: 21
Required courses for students matriculating prior to Fall 2021**:
Code | Title | Units |
---|---|---|
French 307D | Cultural Expression | 3 |
French 308D | Introduction to Literary and Cultural Analysis | 3 |
French 325 | French Literature I: Dramatic Voices: Poets and Playwrights | 3 |
or French 326 | French Literature II: Narrative Voices: Fiction and Nonfiction |
- *
Students who take French 204D (or, prior to Fall 2019, French 201D French Level III: Intermediate French) may count it as one course toward the minor (out of seven). Students may also count one 3-credit course toward the minor that is taught in English by a member of the French faculty, either within or beyond the bounds of the department at Washington University. This course does not replace the requirements in French.
- **
Students who matriculate prior to Fall 2021 have the option of switching to the new minor requirements if they prefer. Permission from the director of undergraduate studies in French is required.
Additional Information
Courses taken Pass/Fail do not count toward the minor. Students must complete courses taken for the minor with a grade of B- or higher and are expected to maintain a B average or better in all French courses.
Study Abroad: French minors are encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. Summer programs are available in Paris, Nice, and Senegal, and semester abroad programs are available in Toulouse and Paris. Up to 6 credits from each program can count toward the minor. Students should complete an In-Perspective course prior to going abroad to Nice, Toulouse, or Paris.
Please refer to the French home page for more information about French study abroad programs and for our French for the Medical Professions track.
Visit online course listings to view semester offerings for L34 French.
Undergraduate French courses include the following categories:
- Cultural Expression (French 307D)
This course enables students to reinforce and refine their French written and oral expression while exploring culturally rich contexts and addressing socially relevant questions. Emphasis is placed on concrete and creative description and narration. Prerequisite: L34 French 204 or equivalent.
Current topic: Les Banlieues. This term refers to the outer ring of the urban space in the French cityscape, and it is frequently associated with immigration, unemployment, violence, and lawlessness. However, because of its position on the margins of mainstream culture, it is also a space of creativity and dynamism. Through the exploration of various media representing the artistic production of the banlieues — from novels and films to rap music and slam poetry — this course offers students an opportunity to interrogate and expand their notion of French cultural expression.
- In-Perspective Courses (L34 French 320s-340s)
These courses are designed to complement and complete the written and oral linguistic competence acquired in French 307D Cultural Expression. Students study topics of contemporary interest in the Francophone world from a cross-cultural, multimedia, interdisciplinary perspective. Emphasis is placed on analytical and persuasive writing. Prerequisite: French 307D.
- Thinking-It-Through:Transforming Paris (French 360) and Thinking-It-Through II (French 361)
These courses provide students with the long view of a contemporary issue: exploring how cross-cultural perspectives from the French and Francophone world, past and present, can help us think creatively about the most pressing problems we face today. The subject — which is of social, cultural, and/or political interest — will change each semester. Beginning with a watershed moment in history, students will consider how the topic in question evolved over time by interpreting related forms of cultural representation and expression in order to develop an informed critical perspective on a matter of current debate. Prerequisite: In-Perspective course.
- In-Depth Courses (L34 French 370s-390s)
These courses build upon the strong foundation students have acquired in In-Perspective courses. Students have the opportunity to take the plunge and explore a topic in the professor’s area of expertise, learning to situate the subject in its historical and cultural context and to moderate their own views with respect to those of other cultural critics. Prerequisite: In-Perspective course.
L34 French 1011 Essential French I Workshop
Application of the curriculum presented in French 101D. Pass/fail only. Grade dependent on attendance and participation. Students must be enrolled concurrently in French 101D.
Credit 1 unit. EN: H
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L34 French 101D French Level I: Essential French I
This course immerses students in the French language and Francophone culture from around the world, focusing on rapid acquisition of spoken and written French as well as listening and reading comprehension. Songs, games, skits, videos, chats, and debates provide a rich cultural context for the themes of the course, including identity, self, and family; school and university life; French cafe culture; and travel. Interactive web-based practice at home helps students prepare to apply their knowledge in the classroom. By the end of the semester, students are able to present on real or imaginary journeys in French-speaking countries. While not required, it is strongly recommended that students also enroll in French 1011, a one-credit, pass-fail practice culture class.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 1021 Essential French II Workshop
Application of the curriculum presented in French 102D. Pass/fail only. Grade dependent on attendance and participation.
Credit 1 unit. EN: H
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L34 French 102D French Level II: Essential French II
This course encourages students to continue their exploration of French and Francophone language and culture through intensive and interactive activities that help solidify their acquisition of oral and written communication skills. Songs, games, skits, videos, chats, and debates provide a rich cultural context for the themes of the course, including living quarters, neighborhoods, and cities; technology and social media; shopping and commerce; French food culture; and nature and the environment. Prerequisite: French 101D or equivalent. (Recommended for students with two to three years of high school French [7th and 8th grades together count as 1 year].)
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 1051 Advanced Elementary French Practice Session
Application of the curriculum presented in French 102D or French 105D. For students with two to four years of high school French. Pass/fail only. Grade dependent on attendance and participation.
Credit 1 unit. A&S IQ: LCD EN: H
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L34 French 1052 Advanced Elementary French Workshop
Working vocabulary for the Institute taught to emphasize real-life situations abroad. Only for students who have completed French 102D and 105D and who plan to attend French Summer Language Institute. Credit/no credit.
Credit 1 unit. A&S IQ: LCD EN: H
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L34 French 201D French Level III: Intermediate French
An intermediate review course with multiple goals: independent and accurate oral and written communication; comprehension of a variety of French and Francophone materials; review of grammar functions; communicative activities. Prerequisite: French 102D or the equivalent (usually recommended for students with four years of high school French [seventh and eighth grades count as one year]).
Credit 5 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 202 French Level III at the Summer Institute
This Summer Institute course focuses on the major features of French 201D. Students improve speaking, writing and reading skills in French by combining study of grammatical forms with exercises designed to mirror many experiences they encounter while in France. The location abroad and contact with French host families and other French people facilitate the student's learning experience. Students enrolled in this course also take French 353 and are prepared to enroll in French 307D upon their return to St. Louis. Open only to students attending the Summer Institute in France. Prerequisite: French 102D or 105D.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD BU: IS EN: H
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L34 French 203D Intermediate French I
This redesigned interactive course explores the richness and diversity of the Francophone world and important contemporary issues such as social justice, inequalities, and the influence of media on society. Using an innovative approach based on lived experience, students will strengthen their abilities and accuracy in speech and writing, and they will considerably expand their vocabulary. Multimedia activities include films, readings, songs, virtual museum tours, and group projects. Prerequisite: French 102D or equivalent. This course is usually recommended for students with three years of high school French (seventh and eighth grade classes together count as one year).
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 204D Intermediate French II
In this second semester of the intermediate language sequence, students deepen their knowledge of the Francophone world and refine their oral and written expression, preparing them for the 300-level language, literature, and culture courses. Through discussion of films, radio, television, newspaper articles, and a novel, students broach controversial topics including family values, the business world, art and entertainment, science and technology, and the environment. Prerequisite: French 203D or equivalent. This course is usually recommended for students with approximately four years of high school French (seventh and eighth grade classes together count as one year).
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 214 Medical French
In this introductory course to the "Français Professionnel de la Santé" track (French for Medical Professionals), students will be exposed to medical terminology and practices as well as to health-related issues in France and the Francophone world (Quebec, Haiti, West and North Africa). Using an interactive approach based on real life situations, students will learn to perform various medical tasks such as writing a prescription, advising a patient, or presenting a humanitarian project to potential donors. Medical vocabulary and pre-professional oral and written expression will be enhanced throughout the course. Students will acquire the necessary tools to perform their tasks, preparing them for further coursework in the FPS track, the Diplôme de français professionnel de la santé, and the France for the Pre-Med study abroad program in Nice. Prereq: Fr 203D or equivalent (this class can replace Fr 204D).
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, LS Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 215 Conversation, Culture, Communication I: Pop Culture
The course examines popular culture through a focus on what is said and performed, viewed especially but not exclusively through French film. Five thematic units focus on everyday occurrences and themes that mark both French and Francophone experience: the intersection of French History with the lives of ordinary people; the role of the French family in modern life; the motto of the French Revolution and how it applies today; the notions of community and the individual in modern French and Francophone society; the role of the French in the world at large. Active student participation is required; student is required to do at least two oral presentations on the films we see, and in some of the versions, to make their own film. An optional film-viewing is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Fridays. Prerequisite: French 201D or the equivalent; may be taken before or after French 216.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD BU: ETH
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L34 French 216 Conversation, Culture, Communication 2: French Culture Through French Film
This course enables students to pursue your exploration of French culture through French film. Though not a history of French cinema, it introduces some of France's most celebrated actors and directors. We focus on excerpts that illustrate important life themes, including childhood, coming of age, existential crises, the search for happiness, the need for laughter, the threat of crime and violence, the complexities of love, and attitudes toward death. Students are asked to contrast their expectations of how such themes are to be treated with the way in which the French choose to portray them. Students write film reviews as though they were, alternately, an American or a French critic. As a final project, they write their own screenplay and imagine how it might be filmed in France. By the end of the course, they will have begun to view French culture with a French eye. Prerequisite: French 201D or the equivalent. May be taken before or after Frrench 215.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD BU: ETH EN: H
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L34 French 247 First-Year Seminar
This small-group seminar is devoted to the reading and study of other texts -- such as films, paintings, and so on -- as well as discussion and writing. Topics vary but have an interdisciplinary focus. Prerequisite: AP in English, French, or History, or permission of instructor. This course is taught in English and does not substitute for any other French course.
Credit 3 units. A&S: FYS A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 249C First-Year Seminar on Paris: The Left Bank
First-year seminar. Taught in English. From the founding of the Sorbonne in the Middle Ages to the strikes and riots of 1968 and from Abelard and St. Thomas Aquinas to Hemingway and Fitzgerald, Camus and Sartre, Beckett and Ionesco, and beyond, the Rive Gauche — or Left Bank — has been the traditional center of Paris's intellectual creativity and political turmoil. This seminar will explore the area's history and political activism, its artistic legacy, and especially its philosophical and literary contributions to contemporary France and the world. Prerequisite: AP in English, French, or History, or permission of the instructor. Does not substitute for any other French course. Enrollment limited to 15.
Credit 3 units. A&S: FYS Art: HUM BU: HUM, IS
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L34 French 250C Voyages and Discoveries: French Masterpieces
Taught in English. Novels and short stories about voyages and discoveries — real and symbolic — where young people confront themselves and crises in their lives. A discussion course with short writing assignments and viewing of films of several works studied. Masterpieces selected from writers such as Voltaire, Balzac, Flaubert, Maupassant, Gide, Colette, Camus, Sartre, Duras and Ernaux, among others. No French background required; students who have completed the English Composition requirement are welcome.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM BU: HUM
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L34 French 257 From Champagne to Champlain: French Culture in North America
Taught in English. Following Champlain's founding in 1604 of the first French settlement in Nova Scotia (formerly Acadia), the French began to build what they hoped would be a vast empire, from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico. Over the next 200 years, French culture and language spread throughout North America and could well have been the dominant one in this country had history moved in different directions. This course examines the history, literature, religion, architecture, music and cuisine of the vast territory known as "New France." Through use of conventional textual documents, as well as films, slides, CDs and field trips to Missouri historical sites, it exposes the student to the continuing richness of French culture all around us. Drawing on local resources (e.g., Fort de Chartres, Cahokia Courthouse and Sainte Genevieve), students learn about many fundamental connections between America and France. Topics include early explorations, Jesuit missions, literary representations of the New World, colonial architecture, the French and Indian War, the Louisiana Purchase, Cajun and Mississippian culture.
Credit 3 units. BU: ETH
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L34 French 299 Undergraduate Independent Study
Prerequisites: French 201D and permission of the director of undergraduate study.
Credit variable, maximum 3 units.
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L34 French 307D Cultural Expression
This course enables students to reinforce and refine their French written and oral expression while exploring culturally-rich contexts and addressing socially-relevant questions.Students develop linguistic mastery, expand their vocabulary, and improve their communication skills through themed readings, films, and interactive activities. Prerequisites: French 204 or the equivalent. (Usually recommended for students with 5 years of high school French [7th and 8th grades count as 1 year]).
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM, IS EN: H
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L34 French 308D Introduction to Literary and Cultural Analysis
As the continuation of French 307D, this course emphasizes the improvement of writing skills through the analysis of a broad array of cultural and literary texts. This course introduces students to some of the most defining customs, ideas, and values of the French and Francophone traditions. Each semester, a specific theme orients the readings, films, and artworks studied and provides a context for class discussions and student papers. This course should be taken before French 325 or French 326. Prerequisite: French 307D or equivalent.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 310A An Intellectual History of Sex and Gender: Text and Tradition
When did sexuality begin? Is it safe to assume that gender constructions are universal and timeless? In this course, we will engage with a broad range of readings that serve as primary texts in the history of sexuality and gender. Our aims are threefold: (1) to analyze the literary evidence we have for sexuality and gender identity in Western culture; (2) to survey modern scholarly approaches to those same texts; and (3) to consider the ways in which these modern theoretical frameworks have become the most recent set of primary texts on sexuality and gender.
Same as L93 IPH 310
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, SC, SD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: BA EN: H
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L34 French 318D Preparation for Year in France
Designed to prepare students for the experience of studying abroad (for either a year or a semester via programs sponsored or approved by Washington University), this course emphasizes improved oral discussion and writing skills through readings, papers, and active class participation. The course provides an introduction to the techniques of "explication de text," "commentaire compose," and "dissertation litteraire." The course will discuss various aspects of modern French society as well as topics related to the student's experience abroad, such as the university system, the French family, French social mores, and so on. This course may replace French 308D for candidates attending semester- and year-abroad programs in a French-speaking country. It is required for students planning to study in Toulouse and Paris and recommended for other programs in France. Students who return from JYA in France are not eligible to take this class.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: IS EN: H
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L34 French 320 Advanced Conversation: The Art of French Cooking
This class explores both historically and experientially the fine arts of French cooking. Students will investigate food culture from various perspectives, including recipes from the chefs of kings, famed literary homages, excerpts from contemporary writers, films, and cooking shows. They will present online food blogs or videos sharing their attempts to master an aspect of the historical, regional, or contemporary food culture we have studied; cooking is optional, but creativity is a plus. Topics to be explored include Terroir; the slow food movements; La table d'hote; the role of the cafe and the market in French and Francophone cooking; and reflections on our own national food cultures. Students will gain the necessary vocabulary and cultural knowledge to be able to converse about cuisine with ease with people from any Francophone country, preferably over a long meal. Prereq: Fr 307D.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 321 Topics I: In Persepctive
Focusing on topics of cultural and social importance, this course offers students the opportunity to learn about defining moments in the French tradition. The specific topic of the course varies from semester to semester and may include works from different disciplines, such as art, film, gender studies, history, literature, music, philosophy, politics, science. Prerequisite: French 307D.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, LS Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: ETH EN: H
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L34 French 322 Topics II
Focusing on topics of cultural and social importance, this course offer students the opportunity to learn about defining moments in the French tradition. The specific topic of the course will vary from semester to semester and may include works from different disciplines, such as art, film, gender studies, history, literature, music, philosophy, politics, and science. Prerequisite: French 307D.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS BU: ETH EN: H
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L34 French 325 French Literature I: Dramatic Voices: Poets and Playwrights
An interpretation of cultural, philosophical and aesthetic issues as presented in influential works of French poetry and drama from the Middle Ages to the present. May be taken before or after French 326. Prerequisite: French 308D or French 318D.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, LS Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 3252 French out of France: Introduction to Francophone Literatures
An introduction to some of the "other" literatures in French: the literary traditions and cultural contexts of Francophone countries in North and sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Vibrant and productive cultures around the world have interacted with the French language and its literature to produce highly diverse texts of their own. We study some of them, focusing on issues like cultural adaptation, colonialism and "civilizing missions," and the responses to them. We also consider the varying meanings of the term "Francophone," from conservative to liberal, and think about its implications for the study of French literature as a whole. Finally, we examine the ways in which contemporary mainland France has been irrevocably transformed by the Francophone presence. Works by Kourouma, Césaire, Kateb and Lopes. Prerequisite: French 307D.
Credit 3 units. BU: IS
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L34 French 326 French Literature II: Narrative Voices: Fiction and Nonfiction
An investigation of cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic issues as presented in influential works of French prose from the Middle Ages to the present. May be taken before or after French 325. Prerequisite: French 308D or French 318D. Sec 09 Prosaic Greatness. The title of this course emphasizes both the artistic value of certain major prose texts in French and the everyday facets of knowledge about French culture they convey. From the Middle Ages to the present, influential writers like Montaigne, Pascal, Sand, Flaubert, and Gide have demonstrated how important political, philosophic, literary, and artistic concepts have been skillfully passed down from one generation to another through a masterful usage of French prose. By looking closely at the aesthetic and social questions raised by works such as theirs, which are so characteristic of their times, students come to appreciate better the evolution of French prose and its true place within the general history of France.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, LS Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L34 French 350 Undergraduate Seminar in French Literature and Culture
An exploration of a variety of cultural icons, objects, myths and traditions that define the French experience throughout the centuries. Topics vary. Prerequisite: French 308.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM BU: HUM
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L34 French 352 French Institute Project
Students investigate an important aspect of French life by conducting interviews with French natives and by observing them at work. Supplementing this direct experience with further research, students prepare a presentation on their selected topic for the Institute participants and for their French hosts. Open only to students enrolled in the French Summer Institute.
Credit 2 units.
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L34 French 353 Project Plus
This Summer Institute course combines (1) a course that examines French culture as it is represented in the evocative history of French châteaux, the arts and contemporary lifestyle; (2) the student's project; and (3) the student's experiences as part of the community abroad (excursions, visits, group discussions). In class students gain background for appreciating the primary sites of the Institute: in the Loire Valley, Paris and Brittany. The classroom experience is discussion-oriented, with small writing assignments and readings. The project is an individual research program that students conduct with a French native on a particular aspect of French culture. In the past students have dealt with serious topics such as the deportation of the Jewish community in Amboise during World War II; with less grave subjects such as the work of a local wine grower or goat cheese producer, and the culinary repertoire of French and American families; and current topics concerning the political situation in Europe and the euro. Following weekly conferences with the teaching staff, students present a formal report on their experiences to an audience comprising other members of the group and the students' host families. Students at the Institute are expected to speak French in all group settings. Assignments in this course are level-appropriate (students enrolled in French 385 complete longer papers and projects than those enrolled in French 202; expectations for conversations are likewise adjusted accordingly). Required of all students attending the Summer Institute in France.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD EN: H
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L34 French 355 North American Francophone Literature in Translation
Taught in English. The world of French language and literature is not restricted to France alone. It includes several other countries and former colonies whose cultural traditions and productions have grown in global significance as the West has increasingly understood and reacted to its own prejudices and exclusions. This course, the first in a three-semester sequence, focuses on the literature of our closest French-speaking neighbors: French Canadians, Acadians (from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and northern Maine) and Louisiana Cajuns. That French is the main language of all these groups results, of course, from the early colonial history of North America. Representative writers of these different French-speaking groups, including Antonine Maillet, Gerald Leblanc, Zachary Richard, Philippe Hemon, Michel Tremblay and Marie-Clair Blais, are studied closely in their historical, literary and cultural contexts.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 360 Thinking-It-Through:Transforming Paris
A city of extraordinary beauty with a unique history, Paris is recognized worldwide for its elegant avenues, Louvre Museum, Eiffel Tower, and renowned culture of gastronomy, fashion, and the arts. Despite all that distinguishes France's capital, however, Paris today also models challenges facing cities across the globe. Our class will examine how French city planners, authors, filmmakers, and artists have transformed Paris and helped to build its striking image. These creators explore urban life through questions of identity, issues of belonging, and depictions of what it means to be young in Paris. We will discuss questions of nostalgia, heritage, and demographic change; the role of public art and museums; and the need for green spaces and for public transit. The current "reinvention" of Paris, part of the "Reinventing Cities" international competition, allows us to experience its evolution in real time. And as Paris prepares for the 2024 Summer Olympics, we will consider the push to "sell Paris" to the world and the costs/benefits of this event for its citizens. Our studies will inform students' projects for transforming a (virtual) Parisian neighborhood. Such a Parisian setting, we realize, provides a context for our own future lives in the city, wherever they may be. Prerequisite: In-Perspective course or French 308.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L34 French 361 Thinking-It-Through II
Thinking-It-Through courses provide students with long views of contemporary issues. Cross-cultural perspectives from the French and Francophone world, past and present, help us to think creatively about the most pressing problems we face today. The subject -- which is of social, cultural, and/or political interest -- will change each semester. Beginning with a watershed moment in history, students will consider how the topic in question evolved over time by interpreting related forms of cultural representation and expression in order to develop an informed critical perspective on current debates. Prerequisite: French 308 or In-Perspective.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L34 French 370 French Social History
Studying L'Histoire des Mentalites, this course explores how the concept of sickness, the perception of medicine, the role of the doctor, etc,. evolved throughout the centuries. Texts are supplemented by a series of lectures offered by doctors in different specialties. Students complete a project on one area of related research. Open only to students enrolled in the Nice Pre-Med Summer Program.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM BU: BA EN: H
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L34 French 3701 In-Depth: Paris, Capitol of Modernity: A Digital 19th Century
The French assert that the world learned to be modern in 19th-century Paris. Even though this is not entirely true, the Paris we observe today owes a great deal to 19th-century interventions in the city's physical fabric. Our ideas about modernity are informed by the ways in which the French learned to observe and describe the radical changes in their capitol. This course will examine maps, guidebooks, urban descriptions, and fiction to see how Paris changed in the century that brought us urban modernity, including anonymity, city crowds, cycles of boom and bust, hugh-scale public works, energy and anomie. It will also introduce students to some of the tools for digital scholarship and the presentation of academic work to non-academic audiences. Students will collaborate in the creation of a textual database on Paris monuments, and learn to present their research on urban sites via ArcGIS's Story Maps. Prerequisite: French 308 or In-Perspective.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L34 French 3702 In-Depth: Subtexts and Subterfuges
What persuades us that we understand a situation -- that we know the players, their intentions, and the effects of their actions? Do we rely on a parent's, lover's, or leader's moral authority or on our own sense of justice? Are we motivated by the coherence of their proposals or by our own emotional needs? All of the above? How, then, do we sort through layers of argument to detect ulterior motives and censored thoughts? Our class will focus on subtexts: hidden meanings, innuendo, ambiguity, veiled hints, omissions, and outright lies. We will consider how storytelling works to elicit particular responses in personal and commerical ads, travel brochures, cookbooks, political speeches, and street art. Tales of seduction by Perrault ("Puss in Boots"), Laclos ("Dangerous Liaisons" [excerpts]), and Proust ("Swann in Love" [excerpts]) along with Haneke's film of suspense and surveillance ("Hidden") will focus our attention on techniques of camouflage and detection. The subtexts in these works will inform our own (thriller?) subplot of contemporary life: a creative project to top off the semester. Prerequisite: French 308.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: BA EN: H
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L34 French 3703 In-Depth: A Passion for Things
Imagine a collection of prized objects. What motivates a collector to acquire and display them? How do these objects allow us to understand the past as it defines our own heritage and that of others, what we choose to preserve or erase? These questions ground our study of the pleasures of collecting. A passion for things can be empowering, but it can also signal exploitation. What happens when the desire to possess extends to a person--when a person becomes the thing possessed? The passion to possess implies the power to dispossess, to take from others the property, privileges, and promises that were theirs. We will focus on three sites of power in which collections figure prominently: the court of Louis XIV at Versailles; the museums, department stores, and world's fairs of 19th-century Paris; and the world of objects in 20th-century poetry and photographs. The class will examine objects that speak to the relations between men and women; kings and subjects; humans and nature; ideas of freedom and efforts to suppress it. Authors and artists include Perrault, Lafayette, Duras, Baudelaire, Zola, Ponge, Vuillard, Caillebotte, Cartier-Bresson, and others. Prereq: In-Perspective or Fr 308.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L34 French 3704 In-Depth: France and the Muslim World
France today has more Muslim citizens than any other country in Europe, and this fact puts the country's relationship with Muslims, both within and beyond its borders, constantly in the news. Starting with Napoleon's invasion of Egypt, we will examine the wide involvement of France in the affairs of Muslim countries: its presence in Egypt and Lebanon, and most notably its colonization of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, which had an irreversible effect on French culture today. We will also consider the anthropology and cultural productions (literature, film, and art) of French people of Muslim origin. Given the influence of francophone Muslim religious scholars, we can not only speak of France and the Muslim world, but investigate France in the Muslim world. What futures become imaginable, when we see Muslims as an integral part of French culture, and France as part of the global Muslim community? Assignments will include writing for non-academic audiences, and the creation of a StoryMap presentation in ArcGIS. Prereq: In-Perspective or Fr 308.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD EN: H
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L34 French 374 In-Depth: Science Fiction
What we now call science fiction emerged from early tales of voyage and discovery, whose authors envisioned other times, places, customs, and perspectives. It flourished in the fantastic and futurist tales that first arose in France but were popularized in Germany, England, and America. An outgrowth of the scientific and the industrial revolutions, it informed the genres of opera, painting, and the novel before reaching the silver screen. Drawing on theories of the uncanny, we will consider how we determine whether stories are governed by the laws of nature (madness, dreams, coincidence) or the supernatural (ghosts, sylphs, devils). We will then explore when and how the Romantic realms of the gothic gave way to the dystopian worlds of science fiction that inform not only contemporary film but our current perception of reality. Readings by Cyrano de Bergerac, Voltaire, Cazotte, Balzac, Maupassant, Verne, Villiers de l'Isle-Adam, Zola, and Leroux; films by Resnais, Godard, and Jeunet. Prereq: In-Perspective or Fr 308.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, LS EN: H
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L34 French 375 In Depth: Medical Narratives, Narrative Medicine
Narrative medicine is an approach grounded in the recognition that patients live and communicate their embodied experiences as stories. This approach underscores the need for medical practitioners to cultivate skills of observation, analysis, storytelling, and cultural competency -- skills that are traditionally developed in humanities coursework. In this course, students will hone their competencies in observation, close reading, and written and oral expression in French through readings of medical narratives. Texts will include Jean-Dominique Bauby, "Le Scaphandre et le Papillon"; Molière, "Le Medecin Malgre Lui"; Michel de Montaigne, "De L'Experience"; Marguerite Duras, "La Douleur"; and excerpts from works by René Descartes, Honoré de Balzac, Émile Zola, Olivia Rosenthal, and Philippe Lançon. Whether considering works of art, patient testimonials, or classic works of literature, we will observe carefully, describe and understand what we see, tell stories, and attend to the details of the stories that others tell. Prerequisite: French 308 or In-Perspective.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 375C Biography of a City: Paris
This class has a dual focus: to trace the political and cultural history of Paris throughout the ages since its founding; to highlight Paris as a theme or topos in works of art and in the popular imagination. Thus, we examine both Paris' role as an important historical center as well as its function as a vital cultural symbol. Guest speakers from the departments of Romance Languages, Art History, History, Music, Philosophy and others. Course taught entirely in English.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM BU: IS
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L34 French 376C Cinema and Society: Feminist Filmmaking
Did you know that the inventor of narrative fiction film, and perhaps the only female filmmaker from 1896-1906, was a French woman? This course introduces students to French and Francophone cinema through the lens of the feminine. In this "her"story of French-language film, we will explore works by female directors as well as representations of women and girls on the silver screen from cinema's silent origins to the empowered voices of the #MeToo era. In tandem, we will engage with key ideas from feminist critics like Simone de Beauvoir and Françoise d'Eaubonne. Class discussions will take an intersectional approach, addressing feminism's connections with the following topics: girlhood and adolescence; race and ethnicity; post-colonial cultures; gendered spaces/places and the environment; LGBTQ+ identities; motherhood and domesticity. Our corpus includes classics from the French tradition as well as understudied films, running the spectrum from drama to documentary, to coming-of-age narratives and cult favorites, including works by Chantal Akerman, Yamina Benguigui, Alice Guy, Céline Sciamma, and Agnès Varda, among others. Prerequisite: In-Perspective course or French 308.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS Art: CPSC BU: IS EN: H
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L34 French 383C Literature and Society: Ailing Body/Ailing Mind in French Autobiographical Writings
Illness and suffering have inspired a great variety of literary texts from the Middle Ages to the modern era. This course considers works ranging from Montaigne's influential Essais through contemporary novels that focus on autobiographical writings in which the author gives a personal account of their own direct experience with illness. Open only to students enrolled in the Nice Pre-Med program.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS EN: H
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L34 French 385 Cultural Differences
By examining how the French perceive Americans and how the Americans perceive the French, students interrogate stereotypes, biases and differences in values, behaviors and beliefs between the two cultures. The class also examines the misunderstandings that occur as a result of these differences. Students also look within the American culture and within the French culture to evaluate how minorities and marginal groups exist within them. Texts include works by contemporary authors whose different professions (journalist, anthropologist, novelist, etc.) offer different perspectives on the questions of cultural difference. Open only to students enrolled in the Summer Institute in France. Prerequisite: French 307D.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 386 Topics in Comparative Literature
Topics in comparative literature. Subject matter will vary from semester to semester.
Same as L16 Comp Lit 385
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 387 Points of Intersection
Topics in comparative literature. Subject matter will vary from semester to semester.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 395 Paris and New York: The Art of the City
The cultural icons Paris and New York exert a powerful hold on our imagination. We will explore how the French and Americans define themselves, and each other, through their premiere cities. The themes of integration and isolation, class and race, innovation and tradition, and commemoration and celebration will ground our discussions of writers Zola ("Therese Raquin"), Wharton ("The Age of Innocence"), Proust ("Swann's Way"), Foer ("Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"), Krauss ("The History of Love"), Truong ("The Book of Salt"), and Gopnik ("Paris to the Moon"); painters Vuillard, Caillebotte, and de Kooning; photographers Brassai, Cartier-Bresson, Doisneau, Ronis, Abbott, Hine, and Stieglitz; and filmmakers Godard ("Breathless"), Allen ("Manhattan," "Midnight in Paris"); Jeunet ("Amelie Poulain"), and Kassovitz ("Hate").Through our study of public spaces (the Brooklyn Bridge, the Twin Towers, the Eiffel Tower, and the streets themselves), we will consider how each city functions as a site of memory even as it fashions the future.
Same as L16 Comp Lit 395
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 400 Intensive Translation for Graduate Students I
The first part of a two-semester course sequence in reading and translating French. For graduate students in the humanities, social and natural sciences. Nongraduate students may enroll with permission of the department. Must be followed by French 401.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD EN: H
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L34 French 401 Intensive Translation for Graduate Students II
Continuation of French 400. For graduate students in the humanities, social and natural sciences. Prerequisite: French 400; credit for French 400 is contingent on completion of French 401.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD EN: H
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L34 French 4013 Second-Language Acquisition and Technology
This seminar for undergraduate and graduate students will transform research and theory about second-language acquisition into practice while focusing on technology-driven applications. The course fosters professional development as participants formulate critical skills for evaluating, creating, and integrating technology into the language classroom and other language learning contexts, including business, engineering, and law. Course formats include readings, discussions, and demonstrations with technologies. The course counts for the minor in applied linguistics, the PhD in applied linguistics, and the graduate certificate in language instruction. This course carries the Social and Behavioral Sciences attribute and can be taken for different majors.
Same as L92 APL 4023
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC EN: S
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L34 French 411 Intensive Writing in French: Timely Topics
This course enables advanced students to refine and develop their writing skills and to develop specialized vocabularies based on current issues in the Francophone world chosen in light of their interests (e.g., global health, international relations, anthropology, political science). Students will analyze the rhetorical strategies used in contemporary cultural debate and write creative, persuasive, and analytical compositions that prepare them to apply for internships and pursue careers in international medicine, business, law, diplomacy, and the arts. Students will complete a series of short papers, each with required revisions. Meets the Writing Intensive course requirement. Prerequisite: Fr 307D, Fr 308D, or permission of instructor.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS, WI EN: H
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L34 French 4131 Advanced French and Translation
This course fosters an in-depth knowledge of the French language and accuracy in its use. It employs a comparative approach (linguistic and cultural) initiating students into the art of translation from English to French and from French to English and sensitizing them to the problem of cultural transfer. Students will acquire practical training, cultivating skills advantageous in the workplace by drawing on a wide variety of documents to develop translation strategies. Genres include fiction, autobiography, journalism, advertising, and correspondence spanning different eras, regions, and registers. Prerequisite: French 308 and In-Perspective.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD, LS, WI EN: H
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L34 French 413B Linguistics and Language Learning
This course, taught in English, is a foundation for students who will work with linguistically and culturally diverse people in the USA and around the world, whether this work is in the courtroom, hospital, classroom, office and more. The class will help prepare students for the diverse range of twenty-first century occupations that have language and linguistics at their center, including machine learning and translation studies. The class utilizes a survey format and covers both internal and external factors related to language acquisition and language use, such as language and the brain, language aptitude, age, gender, memory, prior knowledge, and so on. Theoretical and research dimensions of both linguistics and foreign / second language learning are treated. Corresponding implications of the readings focus on action- on making decisions for language policies and debates around the world that are informed by linguistic and language knowledge. The course is required for the minor in applied linguistics, the PhD in Applied Linguistics, and the graduate certificate in language instruction. This course carries the Social and Behavioral Sciences attribute and can be taken for different majors such as Global Studies and Educational Studies. Prerequisite: Ling 170 (recommended but not required).
Same as L92 APL 4111
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: SSC BU: BA, ETH
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L34 French 415 The 19th-Century Novel: From Realism to Naturalism to Huysmans
In this seminar we read some of the great realist novels of the 19th century, by the four masters of the genre: Balzac, Stendhal, Flaubert, Zola. We also examine Huysmans' A Rebours, which was written in reaction to the excesses of Realism. We determine what characterizes the realist novel and how it has evolved from Balzac to Zola. We consider its theoretical orientation, but we also focus on the major themes it addresses: the organization of French society throughout the 19th century, Paris vs. the province, love, money, ambition, dreams, material success, decadence, etc. Prerequisites: French 325 and 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 416 Renaissance Poetics
An examination of key authors and themes in various genres of the period. Prerequisite: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 4161 Special Topics in 19th-Century Literature
Prerequisite: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 417 Poetry and Prose of the Renaissance: Gender, Love, and Sexuality in the Renaissance
A major writer, an early sympathizer of the reform movement, and a generous patron of the arts and sciences, Marguerite de Navarre (1492-1549), King Francis I's sister, has continued to intrigue readers throughout the ages. Her correspondence, short stories, plays, dialogues and religious poems have been edited and translated into several languages. However, her best known work today remains the Heptameron, her collection of novellas. This course will focus primarily on the Heptameron in the context of the querelle des femmes, a centuries-long literary debate over the nature and status of women. It proposes a close study of the text with special emphasis on gender issues. Close attention will be paid to early modern understandings of sex and gender and the extent to which devisants and characters in the stories conform to or defy the predominant gender stereotypes; gender relations; the dynamics of love and marriage; attitudes toward sexuality, gender and sexuality, and sexual aggression and violence. Prerequisites: French 325 or French 326, or one of these courses and the equivalent WU transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 4171 Travel Abroad in Early Modern Times
This course addresses such questions as national identity; international relations; migration, cultural differences and integration; cultural interactions and influences. It concerns more specifically the important role humanism played in the spectacular development of vernacular languages and traveling abroad in Early Modern times. It is organized around the following themes: (1) Humanism, nationalism and the growing interest in the vernacular; (2) Humanism and the ongoing project of translation (translatio studii); (3) Humanism and travel abroad; (4) views on foreign cultures and one's own after returning home; (5) "La France" (including at least one session on Lyons and another on Italian artists living in France); and integration and conflicts. Readings include major authors (Rabelais, Montaigne, Marguerite de Navarre, Du Bellay) as well as lesser-known figures (Pasquier, Lery, Thevet), diaries and travelogues. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 4172 Travel in the Renaissance and the Literature of Discovery
Improved modes of transportation under King Francis I facilitated travel in the Renaissance. Men and women were able to view famous cultural monuments on their continent and explore parts of the world where no one had ventured before, returning home with vivid tales of distant lands and exotic peoples. With the advent of the printing press, such fascinating stories were made available to a wider audience. This course examines this literature of discovery, paying special attention to the multiple genres that flourished at the time (historical narratives, diaries, correspondences, travelogues, elegiac poetry, adventure novels) as well as the historical and cultural contexts of these works. Other questions addressed include national identity and cultural differences, cultural interactions and influences, international relations, the impact of humanism, and the concept of curiositas. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 4173 Renaissance Poetry and Visual Arts
During the Renaissance, poetry in France manifested a close relationship to the visual arts, sharing expressive means as well as ends. This course considers the main poetic and philosophical currents of the Renaissance with special emphasis on formal innovation. Poets studied include Clément Marot, Louise Labé, Maurice Scève, Pierre de Ronsard, Joachim Du Bellay, etc. The visual arts, mainly paintings from the 15th to the early 17th century, serve to elucidate poetic images, mythological references and philosophical concepts, and hopefully stimulate reflection on the relationship between the verbal and the visual. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 417B Literature of the 16th Century
Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD EN: H
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L34 French 4181 Humanism in Crisis: Marguerite de Navarre
The second half of the French 16th century was a time of profound upheaval in politics and religion, as well as of economic and social unrest. The very nature of reason and knowledge, their place and reliability were in serious question. These various "crises" culminated in what is known today as "the collapse of French Humanism." This course focuses on two writers of the mid-century, Marguerite de Navarre and Montaigne, and the solutions that they offered. Special attention is given to the forms of expression adopted by these writers in order to reflect the newly discovered complexity of their world. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 4182 Humanism in Early Modern France: From Rabelais to Montaigne
This course focuses on major aspects of Humanism as exemplified by two of the greatest writers of the 16th century: François Rabelais and Michel de Montaigne. Humanism designates the great intellectual movement of the Renaissance. Initially focused on the recovery of ancient authors and a renewed confidence in man's ability to grasp higher meanings, Humanism became a dynamic cultural program that influenced every aspect of 16th-century intellectual life. As the political and religious turmoil of the Reformation spread, however, Humanist assumptions (the very nature of reason and knowledge, their place and reliability) were in turn questioned. This "crisis" culminated in what is known today as "the collapse of French Humanism." We examine the importance of Humanism by focusing on the themes of education, self-inquiry, religion, gender roles, marriage, travel, health and medicine. We pay special attention to the forms of expression that Rabelais and Montaigne adopt to reflect the newly discovered complexity of their world. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 419 Feminist Literary and Cultural Theory
This course provides a historical overview of feminist literary and cultural theories since the 1960s and 70s, acquainting students with a diversity of voices within contemporary feminism and gender studies. Readings will include works of French feminism, Foucault's History of Sexuality, feminist responses to Foucault, queer (LGBTQ+) theory, postcolonial and decolonial feminism, feminist disability theory, and writings by US feminists of color (African-American, Asian-American, Latina, Native-American). The reading list will be updated each year to reflect new developments in the discipline. We will approach these readings from an intersectional and interdisciplinary perspective, considering their dialogue with broader sociopolitical, cultural, and philosophical currents. By the end of the course, students are expected to have gained a basic knowledge of the major debates in feminist literary and cultural studies in the last 50 years, as well as the ability to draw on the repertoire of readings to identify and frame research questions in their areas of specialization. The class will be largely interactive, requiring active participation and collaborative effort on the part of the students. Students will be encouraged to make relevant connections between the class readings, everyday social and political issues, and their own research interests. NOTE: This course is in the core curriculum for the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies graduate certificate. Prerequisite: advanced course work in WGSS or in literary theory (300 level and above) or permission of the instructor.
Same as L77 WGSS 419
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, SC, SD Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 4191 The French Islands: From Code Noir to Condé
The French have been dreaming about the tropics ever since transatlantic trade became possible in the 16th century, and literature in French has reflected these dreams ever since. Closer to our own period, writers from the French Caribbean have written themselves into the French canon, winning prestigious literary prizes. This course links these two phenomena by studying literature from and about the tropics from the 18th century to the present. In our readings, we attempt to see the ways in which the literature from and about France's island possessions has contributed to the forming of cultural and political relations between France and the islands, but also among the islands and within the Americas. Almost all texts available in English for students not majoring in French; main seminar session taught in English with weekly undergraduate preceptorial in French. Prerequisite: French 325 and French 326. One-hour preceptorial for required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD EN: H
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L34 French 4192 Dark Humor: Francophone Literature from West Africa
In 1960, most of the French colonies in Africa gained independence in a largely peaceful transfer of power. Since then, this development has been viewed alternatively as the triumph of self-determination, and as a hollow act undermined by neo-colonial French ministries, multinational companies, and corrupt governments. Media today commonly adopt a highly pessimistic tone when speaking of these phenomena, but literature from West Africa provides alternative ways of looking at the region, which today includes over 140 million French speakers. Reading authors such as Kourouma, Kane, Tansi, Tchicaya, and Lopes, we will consider the ways that literature enters into dialogue with political discourses represented both as tragedy and as farce. The main seminar (section 01) is taught in English; undergraduates also register for a weekly discussion (section A) conducted in French. Prerequisites: For undergraduates, French 325, French 326, Thinking-It-Through, or In-Depth; for graduates not in French, reading knowledge of the language.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 4201 The Novel in the Feminine (Le Roman au Feminin)
Informed through feminist criticism (Beauvoir, Cixous, Kristeva), this course examines the deconstruction of the novel as a traditional genre by 20th-century women writers such as Colette, Nathalie Sarraute, Marguerite Duras, Marguerite Yourcenar, Annie Ernaux and Mariama Bâ. We place special emphasis on the representation of the writing woman in the text itself and on the issue of "écriture féminine" in its sociocultural context. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 4202 Ingenues and Libertines: Writing the Feminine in 19th-Century French Prose
Informed by a close reading of theoretical texts dealing with the paradoxes of "la femme auteur" (the woman author), as Balzac coined it, this seminar explores the many ways of writing the feminine in the margins of 19th-century French fiction. Opposing "dames de cour" (ladies of the court) and "femmes de tête" (women of the mind), we focus on the representation of women as "voleuses de langue" (tongue snatchers) in the works of Mme de Staël, Claire de Duras, George Sand and Marie d'Agoult, among others. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 421 The 20th-Century Novel
In this seminar we examine the evolution of the French novel in the 20th century. We closely read five great novels, by Proust, Gide, Céline, Robbe-Grillet and Ernaux. We determine what characterizes the 20th-century French novel and how it has evolved from Proust to Ernaux. We consider its technical aspects but also focus on the major themes it addresses: love, art, memory, time, death and the general problem of the human condition. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 4211 The Novel of the 1930s: The Human Condition and the Meaning of Life
Most French novelists of the 1930s were no longer satisfied simply to entertain their readers, to bring formal innovations to their writing, to depict society or to represent human consciousness. Economic transformations, technological advances and the unspeakable horrors of World War I challenged traditional beliefs. Authors therefore dedicated themselves to examining the human condition and the meaning of life. In this seminar we read five major novels of the period by Saint-Exupéry, Mauriac, Malraux, Céline and Sartre. We determine how each author approaches the fundamental questions of human existence and what, if any, answers he provides. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 (or for students who have completed the Paris Business Program, completion of either course). One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 422 French Theater from 1800 to the Present
We study selected plays of Hugo, Musset, Feydeau, Jarry, Claudel, Giraudoux, Anouilh, with particular attention to Romanticism, Symbolism, Existentialism and absurdist drama. Close attention is paid to the sociopolitical, philosophical and aesthetic contexts within which these plays were written, performed and received by the public. Videos of selected scenes also are shown and serve as points of departure for several classroom discussions, as do various influential critical theories about the nature and structure of modern French theater. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM
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L34 French 4221 Topics in French Literature: The Voyage of Self-Discovery
In our modern interconnected society, it is not always easy for young people to define who they really are or to discover and fulfill their potential, but it is encouraged and facilitated through education, travels, social contacts, and even technology. However, this was not always so. In earlier times, individuals were often constrained by the prevalent social and moral values of their worlds and had a much harder time discovering their persona or fulfilling their needs and aspirations. This seminar explores the issues of self-discovery, initiation, and self-realization in the modern novel, including Balzac's Eugenie Grandet, Stendhal's Le Rouge et le Noir, Flaubert's Madame Bovary, Mauriac's Therese Desqueyroux, and Phillippe Grambert's Un Secret. Prerequisite: French 308.
Credit 3 units. Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: IS
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L34 French 423 Contemporary Theater
Readings, analysis and discussion of French theater from Sartre to the present. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 4231 Visualizing 19th-Century Poetry
At the very end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, Mallarmé and Apollinaire begin to compose seemingly original works that create a host of simultaneous and different meanings through a heightened use of what can be called the "concrete aspects" of the texts themselves: their layout on the page; the imagery they present; even the shape of the particular words and stanzas they employ. But a close reading of earlier 19th-century literature (mostly poetry) composed by various Romantic, Parnassian and Symbolist authors (Victor Hugo, Théophile Gautier, Mari Krysinska, Marceline Desbordes-Valmore, Charles Baudelaire, Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine) reveals that experimentation in the visualization (as opposed to "mere" reading or writing) of a literary work was already under way. The latter coincided with the evolution of sculpture, photography and, later on, cinema. This course is designed to introduce students to both the production and reception of such works, and to examine their multiple historical and aesthetic causes and effects. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 424 19th- and 20th-Century Poetry
Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD EN: H
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L34 French 425 19th-Century Poetry
Reading and analysis of poetry of the three major 19th-century schools: romantic, parnassian, symbolist. Emphasis on textual explication. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM
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L34 French 426 Avant-Garde Poetry of the 20th Century
Study of French avant-garde poetic movement of the early 20th century, with emphasis on Futurism, Cubism, Dadaism and Surrealism. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 427 Literature of the 17th Century I
Undergraduates only register for this section. Prerequisites: French 325, French 326, Thinking-It-Through course or In-Depth course or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM
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L34 French 4271 French Classical Theater
A study of works by Corneille, Molière and Racine. We consider how the theater contributes to the rise of absolutism in France in the 17th century. The depiction of kings and the role of primogeniture; the function of sacrifice; the marginalization of women; the glorification of Ancient Rome; Orientalism; tensions between family and state; and the rise of the bourgeoisie in these plays suggest how the dramas played out on stage mirror the historic spectacle of the court over the course of the century as it develops an increasingly centralized authority culminating in the image of an all-powerful Louis XIV. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM
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L34 French 428 Literature of the 17th Century II
This seminar examines critical points of intersection in the 17th century. All connections engage texts as well as images. We will explore the expansion of knowledge as reflected in the mapping of bodies (anatomy), cities, and countries; humans in relation to animals; commerce and the rise of the bourgeoisie that challenges the privileges of the aristocracy; the splendors of nature and culture as manifest in the magnificent Versailles gardens, the tulip craze, and landscape painting; the lure of the exotic as part of everyday experience; and links between art and science. These topics will allow us to situate classical France in relation to the periods that precede and that follow it: the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. We will view the French monarchy in relation to both Italy, whose art provided much inspiration, and Holland, where the prosperity of merchants supported an art market that included Vermeer, de Hooch, and other celebrated Golden Age painters, all who are so unlike the artists who flourished under Louis XIV. Works will include Corneille's "Horace" and "Surena"; Racine's "Berenice" and "Phedre"; Descartes's "Discours de la Methode"; La Bruyère's "Caracteres"; Lafayette's "Princesse de Cleves"; Pascal's "Pensees"; Graffigny's "Lettres d'Une Peruvienne"; extracts from the "Encyclopedie"; art by Le Brun, Poussin, Patel, Bernini, Vermeer and his contemporaries, and Boucher; anatomical drawings by Vesalius; as well as maps and cityscapes. Prerequisites: French 325C and French 326C. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 4281 Order in the Court: Classical Struggles During the Reign of Louis XIV
Beginning with a study of Versailles, we examine the spectacular dimensions of artistic production under Louis XIV, including architecture, visual arts and landscapes, in addition to literature. The recent historical novel L'allee du Roi, which details the romance between the king and his mistress and then second wife Mme. de Maintenon, and the Memoires of Saint-Simon help to set the stage for us to appreciate the intrigues at court. Situating the king at the head of a hierarchical and orderly court structure, we examine some of the less harmonious elements of court-dominated life offered in representations by Corneille (Surena), Molière (Les Femmes Savantes), Racine (Mithridate, Phedre), La Rochefoucauld, La Bruyère, La Fontaine, Mme. de Sévigné, Pascal. We consider the ways in which the court assures its power through primogeniture, the right of the eldest born son to inherit power, as well as through strict codes of etiquette and the generosity of the crown to its loyal and productive followers. We examine how these factors are insufficient to protect the monarchy against the contravening forces of political ambition, family struggles, the emerging role of women, religious faith and the devastating effects of war and disease. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 431 Literature of the 18th Century I
Prerequisite: French 325 or 326. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 4311 Voices of Dissent: Enlightenment Principle and Social Protest
The 18th century saw a rise in overtly moralizing texts, on the one hand, and unapologetically immoralist philosophies on the other. We focus on texts that avoid these extremes, allowing multiple voices to be heard. With the aid of excerpts from Genette, Bakhtine, Todorov and Barthes, we identify the voices of dissent in several 18th-century genres, including satire, the tale, the novella, the philosophical dialogue, theater, autobiography and the epistolary novel. By reading authors such as Voltaire, Montesquieu, Prévost, Diderot, Cazotte, Rousseau, Beaumarchais and Charrière, students come to appreciate a third tendency in 18th-century texts that is crucial to our understanding of the Enlightenment: the tendency to validate conflicting perspectives. We consider whether a moral can be derived from a text that consistently questions the voice of authority. We analyze the implications of such questioning in the years before the Revolution. Finally, we consider the extent to which the overzealous censorship laws of the period may have obliged authors to couch socially controversial ideas in narrative forms that seem to deny their own assertions. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 4321 Art, Revolution and Society
This course examines major 18th-century aesthetic treatises and literary texts that explore solutions for aesthetic quandaries. Authors include d'Alembert (Preface a l'Encyclopedie), Rousseau (Discours sur les Sciences et les Arts, Lettre a d'Alembert), Diderot (Entretiens sur le Fils Naturel, Le Paradoxe du Comedien, Le Neveu de Rameau), Cazotte (Le Diable Amoureux), Beaumarchais (Le Barbier de Seville, Le Mariage de Figaro), Staël (De la Litterature, Corinne). These works allow us to study some of the major insights into the aesthetics of music, painting and the performing arts with an eye to how these aesthetic "revolutions" expanded the scope and influenced the form of the French language and literary texts. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD EN: H
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L34 French 4331 Women of Letters
We investigate the representation of women in 18th-century texts. Why did the novel and epistolary fiction became so closely associated with women as writers, heroines and readers in the course of the century? Why were women considered exemplary and yet, at the same time, a threat? The 18th century saw the last of the salons led by women well-versed in philosophy, literature, art and politics. It saw the reinforcement of the opposition between the public and the private sphere. Woman was the incarnation of the ideal of liberty and yet excluded from the "rights of man." Rousseau praised women's role as nurturers and peacemakers but cast into doubt their capacity for genius. Literary texts that feature women became a sparring ground for two of the century's major literary trends: Sensibilite and Libertinage, for a woman's sensitivity was thought to contain the seeds of virtue and licentiousness. We investigate philosophical discourses on the senses and emotions and political discourses on republican responsibility. We read these texts in conjunction with the literary works of men and women authors, including Prévost, Marivaux, Graffigny, Riccoboni, Diderot, Rousseau, Charrière, Laclose, Sade and Staël. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 4341 Enlightenment Energy: Comedy, Eroticism and the Grotesque
In this course we examine works in which the comic, the erotic and the grotesque — base urges that 18th-century audiences deplored yet found entertaining — made inroads into the literature of the time. The Enlightenment was highly suspicious of impulses and intuitions that challenged or escaped the bounds of virtue, sentiment and reason. French philosophers debated whether genius lay in the supreme mastery or the spontaneous creation of art, whether talent was inborn or could be acquired through practice. Reading texts that span the long 18th century, by authors such as Molière, Marivaux, Crébillon fils, Voltaire, Diderot, Restif de la Bretonne, Beaumarchais, Sade and Hugo, we investigate how the satirical, the bawdy and the profane served as the wellspring of Enlightenment inspiration, giving rise to visions of an ideal society. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 4351 Philosophical Fictions
The French Enlightenment witnessed a veritable explosion of short fiction, including philosophical, oriental, moral and libertine tales bearing such self-conscious titles as A Thousand and One Follies and This is Not a Tale. Though written by the literary elite and not considered children's literature, the genre enjoyed widespread popular appeal and had the power to shape mentalities. Often satirical in tone, these tales served to convey and question contemporary political, philosophical, scientific, religious and moral trends. They inspired some of the most vivid illustrations of the day and were often circulated as part of the literary underground. We read works by Crebillon fils, Voltaire, Diderot, Cazotte, Charrière, Sade and Staël alongside excerpts from French cultural history on 18th-century mentalities, salons and print culture. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD EN: H
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L34 French 436 Romanticism
This course studies pre-Romantic themes in the works of Madame de Staël and Chateaubriand and of their evolution in the poems of Lamartine, Musset and Vigny, the theater of Victor Hugo, and the novels of George Sand and Victor Hugo. Emphasis is placed on the emergence of a "littérature du moi" (literature of the self), the redefinition of the place of the artist in society after "la bataille romantique," and the stylistic innovations that lead to "modernism." Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 4391 Classicism/A-Classicism
Among the hallmarks of 17th century, French classicism celebrated reason, order, balance and a power often associated with the great achievements of Ancient Greece and Rome. Reason, however, coexisted with dreams and madness; order encountered threats both political and sexual; disharmony persisted despite longings for justice; and depictions of Antiquity flourished alongside those of the Orient, the exotic other world of the East. The course explores these "a-classicisms," or countervailing forces, by studying the challenges that ground the struggles and seductions in dramas by Corneille, Molière and Racine as well as in the novels of Madame de Lafayette. We read Graffigny's Lettres d'une Peruvienne, Prévost's Manon Lescaut, Laclos' Liaisons Dangereuses to understand classicism retrospectively, through the "a-classicism" of the 18th century's treatment of identity, alienation, desire and societal tensions. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 4392 Commemorating the King
The court of Louis XIV at Versailles was remarkable for its grandeur, its consolidation of power and its celebration of the Sun King. Arguably, all aspects of court life were regulated by the crown and all things produced — whether wars or monuments; art or science; novels or histories — were tributes to the king. All reflected a certain "ideology of commemoration," that is, an implicit or explicit validation of the monarch's privilege and prestige, both for his contemporaries and for posterity. We explore how authors (including Louis XIV, La Bruyère, La Rochefoucauld, Perrault, La Fontaine), artists (Lebrun, Rigaud, Poussin, Félibien) and historiographers/memorialists (Racine, Saint Simon) support the ambitions of the crown through their works. Modern critics Elias, Marin, Burke and Merlin guide our research into the activities of the royal family, the ideology of absolutism and the role of art in affirming the power of Versailles as we continue to memorialize it through surviving texts, monuments and images. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 440 Parnassian and Symbolist Literature
This course offers an examination of key writers and texts of the Parnassian and Symbolist schools of the 19th century. Readings include poetry, drama and prose. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 441 From Symbolism to Surrealism
This course presents a survey of major French dramatic works from the late 1800s to the mid-20th century, including both innovative plays and theoretical treatises by celebrated writers such as Maeterlinck, Villiers de l'Isle-Adam, Jarry, Apollinaire, Breton, Vitrac and Artaud. It examines how in running contrary to other important movements of their general time period (e.g., Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism) these works constitute major examples of what will come to be widely known as Modernism. Attention will also be paid to the ways in which these types of plays gave rise to later forms of theater, like those found in Existentialism and the Théâtre de l'Absurde. Prerequisite: French 325 or Fr 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Art: HUM
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L34 French 443 Contemporary Francophone Literature
A general survey of Francophone literature. This course examines representative texts of Quebec, "Acadia," Africa and West Indies. Authors to include Antonine Maillet, Louis Hémon, Michel Tremblay, Gérard Leblanc, Anne Hébert, Maryse Condé, along with the influential poets of "négritude," Senghor and Césaire. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM
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L34 French 444 Modern Francophone Poetry
The first half of this course consists of close readings of the founders of Négritude: Césaire, Senghor and Damas. While the political and historical impact of these poets is discussed in some depth, we analyze their poetry primarily in terms of its aesthetic value and concerns. We study American influences such as jazz and the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance along with French influences. The second half of this course focuses on the contemporary poetic scene in Africa and the Caribbean. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 447 The Medieval Literary Arts
How do medieval French writers understand the structures and functions of the human body? What kinds of bodies are considered disabled? Are womanhood, childhood and old age construed as disabilities? In this course we read texts of varied genre — farces, saints' lives, fabliaux, poems, romances, journals and chronicles — as we consider how, if at all, disability exists as a social or literary construct in the Middle Ages. Texts include Philippe de Beaumanoir's Manekine, Courtebarbe's Trois Aveugles de Compiègne, Guillaume de Machaut's Voir Dit and the farce Le Garçon et l'Aveugle; excerpts from Jean de Meun's Roman de la Rose, from the Ovide Moralisé and from Christine de Pizan's Mutacion de Fortune; and poems by Rutebeuf, Deschamps and Molinet, as well as critical and theoretical texts from the emerging discipline of disability studies. Texts are available in modern French; no prior study of Old French language is necessary. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 448 From Arthur to the Grail
Conducted in English. A broad survey of the Arthurian legend: its origins; its elaboration in French, English and other medieval literatures; and its expression in modern literature (especially English and American) and in the visual arts, film and music. All readings available in English. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM BU: HUM
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L34 French 450 Women and the Medieval French Literary Tradition
The Middle Ages constitute a beginning — a period when new languages and literatures came into being, along with Romanesque book — illumination and stained glass, Gothic cathedrals, Gregorian chant, Troubadour song, Crusades for the Holy Land and quests for the Holy Grail. Medieval French Literature is therefore a new literature, defining itself against antique models and its own rich multilingual, highly visual and oral culture. This course provides an overview of this diverse and fascinating French literary tradition while focusing on the status of women in the literary production of the Middle Ages. Particular attention is given to women's role in the creation of texts as authors and patrons. We also examine how gender roles are constructed and challenged through the literary representation of female characters. Readings include examples from major genres: Marie de France's Lais, Chrétien de Troyes' Lancelot, Rutebeuf's Vie de Sainte Elysabel, the anonymous Aucassin et Nicolette, as well as Fabliaux, poetry of the Trouvères and Trobairitz, excerpts of the Roman de la Rose, and works by Christine de Pizan. All readings and discussions are in modern French. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 451 French Literature of the Middle Ages I
French literature from the beginning to 1250. The course emphasizes chansons de geste, courtly romance and lyric, and early drama. Most works read in modern French. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 452 French Literature of the Middle Ages II: I, Object
In this seminar we will explore the significance of objects and objectification in medieval French literature. What happens when people are treated as "love objects" in lyric poetry, or when inanimate objects take on human properties in comical or allegorical texts? How do the "transactions" of fictional wills and legacies bind one human subject to another? We will approach these questions through a number of theoretical perspectives, includiing psychoanalytic, poststructuralist, posthuman, and thing theory. Texts include poems of the troubadours and trouvères, fabliaux, the Roman de la Rose, René d'Anjou's Livre du cuer d'amours espris, and Villon's Testament. Texts will be read in modern French; no prior study of Old French language is necessary. Prerequisite: French 325 or 326 or the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM
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L34 French 453 History of the French Language
Study of phonetic and morphological evolution of the French language with side glances at historical events that shaped this development. No previous knowledge of Latin necessary. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 4550 Intersectional Identities in Medieval France
Were medieval French identities "intersectional"? What cultural evidence is there -- in literature, theatrical performance, the visual arts, and the artifacts of everyday life -- for such identity categories as "race," "sexuality," or "disability"? In this course, we will investigate medieval French imaginaries of the racialized, gendered, classed, and abled/disabled body, seeking to do the following: (1) understand the systems of power and privilege that undergirded medieval identities; (2) critique the contemporary perception of medieval Europe as an all-"white," male-dominated space; and (3) explore how contemporary critical identity studies can deepen our comprehension of medieval culture and how medieval materials can offer new insights into contemporary identity formations. This course will be taught in English, with a weekly discussion section in French for undergraduates enrolling for French credit. Prerequisite: French 325, French 326, Thinking-It-Through, or In-Depth.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, SC Arch: HUM Art: HUM BU: BA EN: H
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L34 French 456 Romance Philology
Study of the evolution of the major Romance languages from their common Latin origins. Knowledge of classical Latin not required, but acquaintance with phonetics of at least one Romance language extremely helpful. Conducted in English. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 458 Nature, Landscape and Travel in the Middle Ages
Through an examination of the concept of nature in the Middle Ages, the course analyzes the importance of the presence or absence of landscapes in medieval literature, including chansons de geste, courtly romances, Roman de la Rose, accounts of travel and pilgrimages, poetry and theater. We examine the movements of medieval men and women from one place to another; their concepts of the relation between the nature and culture; their emotions when confronting nature; the various means they use to describe space and travel; the function of nature and landscapes within individual works. Each text is situated within the general framework of the history of the language and the literature of the period. The thematic focus of the course is informed through theological, philosophical and anthropological perspectives essential to an appreciation of all medieval texts. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 4581 Sacrifice and Service: Masculinity and the Medieval French Literary Tradition
The Middle Ages constitute a beginning: a period when new languages and literatures — along with Gothic cathedrals, Troubadour song, Romanesque art, Crusades for the Holy Land and quests for the Holy Grail — come into being. By focusing on the notion of service, we study how medieval society establishes a hierarchy of power that encompasses religious, feudal and courtly relationships. Particular attention is given to the construction and testing of gender roles. What are men and women asked to sacrifice? Whom and what are they supposed to serve? How do the concepts of honor and heroism motivate the service of knights and heroines to their king and God? Texts include: La Chanson de Roland, La Quete du Saint-Graal, La Vie de Saint Alexis, Le Jeu d'Adam, Béroul's and Thomas' versions of Le Roman de Tristan, Chrétien de Troyes' Le Chevalier au Lion ou Yvain, Rutebeuf's Miracle de Théophile and Christine de Pizan's famous poem on Jeanne d'Arc. All readings in modern French. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 459 Writing North Africa: Francophone Literature of the Maghreb
With statues of colonizers coming down around the world, France reckons with its colonial legacy in North Africa. Ever since their conquest of Algiers in 1830, the French have been fascinated by writing from across the Mediterranean. Beginning with nineteenth-century French travel narratives about Algeria, the colonial era defined ideas of the "exotic." As Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia gained independence from France in the mid-twentieth century, North African authors often wrote their own literature in the language of their former colonizer. These authors and their contemporary descendants continue to create and challenge the ideas of postcolonial francophone literature today. The main seminar sessions are taught in English, with additional required weekly undergraduate discussions (section A) in French. Prerequisites: for undergraduates, French 325 or French 326, Thinking-It-Through course, or In-Depth course; for graduates not in French, reading knowledge of the language.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 460 Topics in European History IV
A detailed look at the contributions of major French theorists such as Beauvoir, Cixous, Irigaray, Kristeva and the interpretation of French feminism in America. We study French feminist theory with an eye to psychoanalysis; maternity as metaphor and experience; women and language and/or Marxist-feminist theory; and aesthetics. Conducted in French. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 461 Topics in French Literature and History
How genre affects both the production of a given literary text and its perception by the reader. Representative texts from different centuries and movements. Prerequisites: French 325C and 326C (or, for students who have completed the Paris Business Program, completion of either course). One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates only.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 466 Second Language Acquisition
There are many ways in which a second language can be learned: from infancy as the child of bilingual parents, or later through formal instruction, immersion in a new culture, or in a particular work or social situation. This class is an inquiry into the processes by which acquisition occurs. Topics include the nature of language learning within the scope of other types of human learning; the relationship between first and second language acquisition; the role of linguistic, cognitive, and sociocultural factors; insights gained from analyzing learners' errors; key concepts such as interlanguage and communicative competence; bilingualism; the optimal age for second language acquisition; and a critical appraisal of different theories of second language acquisition. Both theoretical and instructional implications of second language acquisition research are considered. This course can be used toward certification in TESOL and is a required course for the Graduate Certificate in Language Instruction. Prerequisite: Ling 170D or equivalent is recommended, especially for undergraduates, but is not required.
Same as L44 Ling 466
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 469 Reading and Writing in a Second Language
In the past decade the process of becoming literate in a second language has received considerable attention by researchers and instructors. This course, taught in English, extends issues in L2 literacy beyond pedagogy by examining the wide range of theoretical and research issues, both historical and current. Literacy acquisition among second language learners involves a number of variables including both cognitive and social factors. Topics discussed in class include: individual learner differences; the extent to which reading and writing are interrelated; text types and literary forms; literacy and social power; and universal cognitive operations. Students discuss how to bridge research and practice, and they create activities that are included in a reading and writing portfolio. Course counts toward the Graduate Certificate in Language Instruction.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: LCD
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L34 French 470 Suffering and Self-Expression in Early Modern French Literature
How did early modern people cope with disease, suffering and death? With the advancement of medical science, in particular with Ambroise Paré, who saw it as his mission to ease his patients' pain, a new sensitivity toward man's suffering began to develop. Working within the historical and scientific context of the time, this course examines old and emerging attitudes toward man's suffering with special emphasis on the relationship between suffering and artistic expression. Topics discussed include: suffering as part of the human condition; suffering and faith; suffering and early modern medicine; medicine and religion; gendered views of illness; disease/suffering as a vehicle of relief and self-expression; literary treatment of suffering and disease, including melancholia, depression, suicide, kidney stone, mourning, aging, etc.; images of the ailing body and the ailing mind in early modern texts; disease as a theme and a metaphor. Various genres are covered (fiction, poetry, drama, essay, travelogue). Authors likely include Maurice Scève, Helisenne de Crenne, Louise Labé, Joachim Du Bellay, Pierre de Ronsard, Marguerite de Navarre, Jean-Baptiste Chassignet, Gabrielle de Coignard and Michel de Montaigne. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial for undergraduates only.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 481 Sartre and Existentialism
This course studies French existentialism in light of recent intellectual developments, especially postmodernism; detailed study of Sartre's major literary and critical works. Conducted in French, nonmajors may do written work in English. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 482 Avant-Garde, Postmodern and Modernity
We study the history and evolution of an avant-garde in French literature, possible definitions of the postmodern, description of the different areas of modernity. Readings both theoretical and literary. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 483 Gender and Genre
A sampling of the diverse contributions made by French women to literary history, this course examines what prompted women to write in the 16th century; what they wrote about; which genres they chose; how these women were viewed by their contemporaries; etc. Prerequisites: French 325 or 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. A&S IQ: HUM, LCD, SC, SD Arch: HUM Art: HUM EN: H
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L34 French 492 Contemporary French Literary Criticism
The first half of the course deals with works of Roland Barthes; the second examines relationship of philosophy to literature and explores how the ideas of Foucault, Lacan, Derrida, Deleuze, Girard and Baudrillard can be applied to the study of literary texts. Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 493 Selected French Writers
Prerequisites: French 325 and French 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent Washington University transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Credit 3 units. Art: HUM
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L34 French 495 Honors
To be considered for graduation with Honors, students must: (1) participate satisfactorily in two 400-level literature courses and (2) enroll in French 495 and submit an Honors Thesis approved by the department at least two months before graduation. Prerequisite: 3.0 grade point average. Qualified students should consult the department.
Credit 3 units.
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L34 French 4951 Honors
To be considered for graduation with Honors, students must: (1) participate satisfactorily in two 400-level literature courses and (2) enroll in French 495 and submit an Honors Thesis approved by the department at least two months before graduation. Prerequisite: 3.0 grade point average. Qualified students should consult the department. Pass/fail.
Credit 3 units. EN: H
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