French 322 - TOPICS II

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

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 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. Section 01. France Viewed Through Its Cinema. This course explores the history and culture of France as depicted by some of the 20th century's most celebrated directors. We focus on topics such as World War I (Gance, Renoir); the rise (and fall) of the bourgeoisie (Lumière, Renoir, Tati); the importance of dreams (Meliès, Bunuel, Carné, Cocteau); the role of women (Pagnol, Godard, Varda); trauma and memory (Duras, Resnais); childhood (Truffaut, Malle). We also compare views of Paris (Clair, Truffaut, Godard) and views of the countryside (Renoir, Pagnol, Malle, Varda). Section 02. Diversity. We examine the notion of diversity as it expresses itself in French culture in different media. Studying religious, social, sexual, and ethnic difference, we examine how the French have embraced or rejected the idea of France as a "diverse" and "integrated" nation. We examine extracts from a range of French texts by authors who question the idea of difference and the notion of self-identity. We read extracts from Francophone authors, writers who live in and write about former French colonies. Among the authors included: Diderot, Voltaire, Zola, Camus, Ernaux, Kristeva, Cardinal, Condé, Sow Fall. We also look at films, paintings, and journalistic accounts that allow us to consider issues such as changing social values, acts of inclusion and exclusion into the social fabric, and examples of backlash to efforts to promote integration and inclusion. Section 03. Provence. Provence enjoys a distinctive identity in France. Known not only for its cuisine and its fields of lavender, Provence represents a particular set of behaviors that are marked by an outward sociability, on the one hand, and deep intimacy, on the other. The people from this Mediterranean region are proud of their identity, particularly in opposition to Paris, which stands at the center of French culture, business, and power. Many celebrated artists (Cézanne, Van Gogh) and writers (Daudet, Pagnol, Giono, Char) used the backdrop of Provence in their works, partaking of Provence's natural beauty and local color. Through an examination of a variety of texts, images, films, music, and other sources, we attempt to define the life of Provence, paying particular attention to its distinctive features; the opposition Paris/Provence; how Provence's geographical advantages contribute to its rich culture; how various artists, authors, filmmakers, and musicians celebrate its culture and its people. Section 04. 20th-Century France in Literature and On Film. Starting with the Belle Epoque-the first years of the 20th century, considered to be a "beautiful age" when life was pleasant and easy-and ending with the year 2000, we examine the evolution of modern French society as reflected in celebrated examples of literature and cinema. We emphasize key historical events of this period and show how France has changed from a primarily rural, religious, and homogeneous society to the urban, industrialized, and multiracial culture of today. We deal mainly with both world wars, colonialism, industrialization, immigration, and the changing role of women. We divide the century into segments, each of which are represented by a literary work and/or a film. Section 05. Song, Text and Image. This class examines the dual nature of song as meeting point between poetry and music. In the first half of the class, we study how famous French poems are transformed when set to music (and how differing arrangements of a given text create a variety of interpretations). Poets include Villon, Ronsard, Hugo, Bâ.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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