Course Description
Topics in French and Francophone studies; themes, movements, problems, artistic and cultural manifestations, and their relationship to literary and intellectual developments. Topics can cover individual periods or several centuries. Given in English. Students do appropriate assignments in French.
Athena Title
Topics in French Studies
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in FREN 4180
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught in an integrated format. Assignments, discussions, and student oral and written work following guidelines proposed in the proposal for Integrating Languages Across the Curriculum: 1. A significant portion (more than 25%) of the total course readings is in the target language; 2. A significant portion (more than 25%) of the term papers, reports, and other written work is in the target language; 3. Opportunities to give oral presentations in the target language; 4. Some time is spent in discussion in the target language, either during class or in break-out sessions.
Prerequisite
FREN 3010 or FREN 3010H
Pre or Corequisite
FREN 3020 or FREN 3020H
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To familiarize undergraduates with important problems and movements throughout French and Francophone cultural history. The course will be conducted in English. The “I” section is for students in the French major or minor who will complete reading and writing assignments, where applicable, in French, and participate in some breakout discussions in French. The variable topic format will enable instructors to construct original courses reflecting individual research interests and main trends in contemporary literary and cultural studies in different periods. Students will learn to identify thematic currents, historic trends, and abroad relationships between cultural, artistic, and literary manifestations. The specialized nature of this course requires students to develop their abilities to analyze and discuss specific texts as well as general cultural and intellectual problems, in-class discussion, written and oral projects, and examinations.
Topical Outline
1. Individual problems in the literature and culture of particular periods in French and Francophone history. 2. Periods or movements of special importance or interest. 3. Broad themes over several periods or centuries, centered on particular themes or problems. 4. Major historical-cultural events and their manifestations in literature, art, and cinema: examples include the discovery of America, the French Revolution, and the German occupation.