Français 251
Le Moyen-Age au Romantisme

Professor Karen Humphreys
Trinity Commons 212; ext. 4237
Fall 2007
www.trincoll.edu/~khumphre

Mercredi et vendredi~ 1:15-2:30

Programme du Cours

Course Description:

This course presents an introduction to French literature through a survey of important cultural trends from the Middle Ages, through the Renaissance, the Age of Louis XIV (the seventeenth century) and the Enlightenment (the eighteenth century). We will study different genres including the short story, drama, poetry, and excerpts of the novel in their cultural contexts. Hopefully you will gain an understanding of this literature in relation to the history and artistic trends of the respective periods. In addition we will discuss the basic techniques of textual analysis through “explications de texte,” (close-readings of specific passages) to better understand the texts themselves as well as the creative endeavors of the authors. Classes will be in conducted in French.

Texts: Anthologie de la littérature française, tome I. Robert Leggewie. New York: Oxford, 1990.

La Princesse de Clèves. Madame de Lafayette

Student Responsibilities:

--Students are responsible for preparing a presentation on one of the assignments on the syllabus. (Check with me in advance on how you will present the topic).

--It is essential that you establish a serious study routine from the outset of the course. Don't fall behind; last minute reading and studying is counter-productive.

--There will be no make-ups unless the absence is due to a serious medical condition.

--In order to learn French, you must speak it as often as possible--this means coming to class regularly. Only three unexcused absences will be allowed without penalty. Above that, your grade will be lowered according to the following scale: 4 hours-5%; 5 hours-10%; 6 hours-15%; 7 hours-20%; 8 hours-25%; 9 hours-failure of course.

Evaluation:

There will be a mid-term exam, a 3 papers (approximately five pages each) and a final paper (7-10 pages). Each student will be responsible for an oral presentation. The final grade will be based on the following percentages:

Class participation 25%

Oral presentation 15%

Written Assignments 30%

Mid-term Exam 15%

Final 15%