French
Academic Year 2009-2010
Please refer to InsideND for the most up-to-date, accurate information.
SPRING 2010 - FALL 2009
SPRING 2010 COURSES
ROFR 20201 INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I Various Times MWF
P. Martin, O. Menyard
A third-semester college language course. Includes review and expansion of basic grammatical structures. Extensive practice in speaking and writing. Readings and discussions of a variety of literary and nonliterary texts of appropriate difficulty.
ROFR 20202 INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II Various Times MWF
M.C. Escoda-Risto, O. Menyard
A one-semester course designed to provide a transition between the lower-level language courses and the upper-division literature courses. It concentrates on a thorough grammar review and a genre-based writing program which provides a variety of effective strategies for more meaningful oral and written expression. We will also read Marcel Pagnol’s Manon des sources, and view the movie of the same name. Prerequisite: ROFR 20201.
ROFR 20215 INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II1:55-2:45 MWF, 11:00-12:15 TR
K. Werner
This course will meet the needs of three different audiences: 1) students at the 20201 level who are looking for the challenges and rewards of daily exposure to French language and culture, 2) students at the 20201 level who are considering studying in Angers, France, and 3) students who wish to progress through the intermediate level language curriculum in just one semester. By meeting daily, not only will we be able to accomplish a systematic review of French grammar, but we will also have sufficient time to devote to a wide variety of cultural activities designed to cultivate your speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension skills. For example, we will be surfing French web-sites, viewing and reviewing several French movies, reading and discussing a number of literary passages (culminating in a novel towards the end of the semester), and viewing a selection of art works by French artists in the University’s own Snite Museum—tout en français! Prerequisite: ROFR 10102 or 10115
ROFR 20300-01, 02 CONVERSATIONAL FRENCH 9:35-10:25, 10:40-11:30 MWF
M.C. Escoda-Risto
This is a one semester course intended for students who have had a significant exposure to the basic principles of the French language, and who are interested in acquiring greater proficiency in their oral expression. It will not provide a comprehensive review of grammar, but will instead assume this knowledge. In addition to the exercises set forth in the syllabus, students will be asked to participate in the creation of a video. Prerequisite: ROFR 20202 or 20215
ROFR 21205 ANGERS: ATELIER PRÉPARATOIRE 7:00-8:15 T/R
A.Toumayan
A 1.0 credits preparation for studies at Notre Dame's international study Program in Angers, France. A course packet with a variety of cultural readings will form the core of the course. Student centered discussions, combined with ample opportunity for Q&A, will prepare students for most of what awaits them in France. Enrollment will take place after students have been selected for the program. Course will begin meeting one week after Spring break.
ROFR 27500 APPROACHES TO FRENCH & FRANCOPHONE CULTURES
This content-driven course is intended for students who want to broaden their knowledge of the French language and related cultures, as well as improve both their understanding of the French and Francophone world and their communication skills in the French Language. Recent topics taught are Facets of French, France, and the French; French Civilization & Culture; Tahiti. Prereq ROFR 20202, 20215 or by placement.
ROFR 27500-01 DECIPHERING FRANCE ON THE FRONT PAGE: REPRESENTATIONS OF THE IMMIGRANT 12:30 -1:45 T/O. Morel
France on the cover page, not only of French newspapers, but also of publications around the world: this is the concept of this course. This semester, we will specifically focus on representations of immigrants and foreigners in today’s French society, through media and film. The course will analyze the coverage of recent events by examining daily media representations from and about France today. We will pay special attention to the way politics interact with cultural and social phenomena, taking into account the regional affiliations of the French and the country’s changing status in international affairs. The course will be conducted in French. Two short essays and a final paper will be required, as will active participation in class discussions
ROFR 27500-02 TOUR DE FRANCE DES REGIONS DANS/PAR TOUS LES SENS M.C. Escoda-Risto 11:45-01:00 M/W
A brief historical introduction to four non-immigrant minorities –Alsatians, Bretons, Occitans & Basques- will lead us into our “Tour de France” where all our senses will be put to task. From an overture to the traditional folklore (legends, tales…), a look at the private & public architectural creations, a sampling of regional music and oral expression, to the gastronomical contributions of these cultures will inform our (re) discovery of the profound diversity always present on this hexagonal land known to us, today, as France. Four tests (one on each of the regions), one modest research paper, one short oral presentation, & one final exam, as well as the preparation & consumption of a regional meal will be the students’ contribution to this regional tour.
ROFR 30310-01 ANALYZE THIS! TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
J. DellaNeva 11:45-1:00 M/W
The aim of this course is to familiarize the student with interpreting literary texts of various genres and from different periods. Special attention is given to the French technique of explication de textes, a very close reading and analysis of a short text. Accordingly, students will learn to do both oral and written interpretations or explications; hence, increasing facility in correct written and spoken French will be a significant component of this course. As an ancillary to the art of interpretation, the student will be introduced to the tools of rhetoric and poetic versification as well as to some modern theories of literary analysis. Thus students should expect to acquire a certain technical mastery, in terms of building the vocabulary required for the discussion of literary texts at an advanced level, as the course progresses.
Requirements: All students must do three or four oral interpretations of a text (depending on class size); all students are expected to participate actively in the class discussion that ensues from these presentations. In addition to the oral explications in class, there will be two short written analyses (3-5 pp.) done in two drafts each, a series of quizzes in lieu of a midterm, and a final exam. Additional work includes daily written preparation questions concerning vocabulary or allusions pertinent to the assigned text of the day. Occasional pop-quizzes may also be given at the discretion of the instructor.
ROFR 30320 ADVANCED GRAMMAR & WRITING 1:30-2:45 M/W
O. Menyard
Advanced-level course given in French. We will discuss the themes, style, and rhetorical structures of a varied group of texts (literary, political, cultural, and critical). The emphasis lies in the development of advanced writing skills focusing on clarity and correctness of the language through various weekly writing assignments and written explications de textes.
SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE I 11:00-12:15 T/R
FROM PERCEVAL TO PUSS IN BOOTS: Old Regime French Literature in Cultural Context
J. Douthwaite This course is designed as an introduction to French literatures from the 12th century to the beginning of the 18th. It will cover works of representative authors such as Chrétien de Troyes (Perceval), Marie de France (Lais), Christine de Pizan (Le Livre de la cité des dames), Montaigne (Essais), Rabelais (Pantagruel), Racine (Phèdre), LaFontaine (Fables), Perrault (Contes), Lafayette (La Princesse de Clèves), and Galland (Les Mille et une nuits). Our method of “contrapuntal” readings will allow us to shuttle back and forth between the Old Regime and the 21st century in France. Our focus on early modern literature will be enlivened by discussion of timely issues such as President Sarkozy’s attitude on the patrimoine (Lafayette), Arab-French relations (Galland), the politicization of the Concours de l’agrégation (Labé), and the postcolonial rewriting of French classics (Perrault). This juxtaposition will enable us to examine how literature represents the intersection of politics, gender, and explosive cultural issues across several centuries. The course will be conducted in French. A series of mini-essays, a term paper, and a final exam will be required, as will active and assiduous participation in class discussions. Crosslisted with the Medieval Institute.
ROFR 30720 SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE II 3:30-4:45 T/R
C. Perry
This course is designed as an introduction to French and Francophone literatures from the 18th century to the present. It will cover works of representative authors (such as Graffigny, Voltaire, Sand, Zola, Le Clézio, and Nothomb), focusing on the theme of "other" in literature. The juxtaposition of works by male and female authors who wrote on similar themes will also enable us to examine how literature represents the intersection of gender and sexuality with ethnicity, class, and nationality across several centuries and cultures. The course will be conducted in French. A series of mini-essays, a term paper, and a final exam will be required, as will active and assiduous participation in class discussions. Crosslisted with Gender Studies.
ROFR 40300 READING VERSAILLES 9:30-10:45 T/R
L. MacKenzie The purpose of this course, conducted in French, will be to flesh out the term "Versailles" in an effort to appreciate how this huge "text" works as a coherent and decipherable whole. To this end, we will consider the topographical, architectural, artistic, musical and literary aspects of the court (understood both as the place and the society). In so doing we can hope to appreciate the mythopoetic underpinnings of Louis XIV's political agenda. Among the specific subjects/sources we will be working on: Fouquet and Vaux-le-Vicomte; La Fontaine's recounting of the famous (and"fatal") extravaganza at Vaux in 1661; the evolution of the palace of Versailles; detailed study of statuary in the garden and of the "planetary" rooms known as the King's Apartment; La Bruyere's reflections on the court; the thoughts of the 20th century sociologoist, Norbert Elias on "La vie de cour"; the music, both instrumental and operatic of Lully, Charpentier and Delalande. Classes will generally be organized around lectures, the vieweing of slides and film and the audition of musical selections. There will be frequent quizzes and examinations, but no term paper. Prerequisite: at least one 30000 level course
ROFR 40635 19th CENTURY SHORT STORY PHANTASMES ET FANTASTIQUE
A. Toumayan 12:30-1:45 T/R
This course will focus on the development of the genre of short narrative during the nineteenth century in France. Representative works of Balzac, Nerval, Baudelaire, Barbey d'Aurevilly, Flaubert, Gautier, Mérimée, Maupassant, and Villiers de l'Isle Adam will be considered. The themes of obsession, trauma and madness will compose common motifs in the corpus of texts that we will examine. We will also study the distinctive features of the aesthetics of Romanticism, Realism and Symbolism as well as generic considerations relating to the conte fantastique. Course requirements include one oral presentation, two papers of moderate length and a final exam.
ROFR 53000 SENIOR SEMINAR: IN THE SHADOW OF COLONIALISM: FRENCH TRAVELERS WRITING AND PAINTING THE MAGHREB
C. Perry 2:00-3:15 T/R
Serving as an introduction to North African countries--known as the Maghreb—from a European perspective, this course will explore works by French writers and artists who visited, or resided in, Morocco and Algeria from the early 19th century to the late 20th century. We will examine aesthetic representations and travel diaries of painters such as Eugène Delacroix, Théodore Chassériau, Eugène Fromentin (Une année dans le Sahel), and Henri Matisse; the travel accounts of Pierre Loti (Au Maroc) and Isabelle Eberhardt (excerpts from Écrits sur le sable); fictional works by Eberhardt (short stories), Henri de Montherlant (La Rose de sable), Albert Camus ("L'Hôte" and “La Femme adultère” in L'Exil et le Royaume), J.M.G. Le Clézio (Désert), Michel Tournier (La Goutte d'or), and Didier Van Cauwelaert (Un aller simple). Studies by Edward Said (Orientalism) and Fatimah Mernissi (Beyond the Veil: Male-Female Dynamics in a Modern Muslim Society), among others, will enable us to approach Islamic culture as well as the vexed questions of French colonialism and the condition of North-African women. The course will be conducted in French. Students will be responsible for assiduous reading and active participation in class discussions as well as weekly journals and a 12-15 page research paper. There will be no exam. This course is open to first and supplementary majors.
ROFR 20201 INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I Various Times MWF P. Martin, O. Menyard
A third-semester college language course. Includes review and expansion of basic grammatical structures. Extensive practice in speaking and writing. Readings and discussions of a variety of literary and nonliterary texts of appropriate difficulty. ROFR 20202 INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II Various Times MWF M. C. Escoda-Risto A one-semester course designed to provide a transition between the lower-level language courses and the more challenging literature courses. It concentrates on a thorough grammar review and a genre-based writing program which provides a variety of effective strategies for more meaningful oral and written expression.
ROFR 20215 INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE FRENCH 10:40-11:30 MWF, 11:00-11:15 TR O. Menyard
This course will meet the needs of two audiences: students who will be at the 201 level looking for the challenges and rewards of daily exposure to French language and culture, and students who will be at the 201 level who fit the previous description and are considering study in Angers, France. By meeting daily we will be able to accomplish a systematic review of and introduction to French grammar along with a number of cultural activities to cultivate your speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension skills; you will become an Internaute, surfing French web-sites; you will become the French Roger Ebert, as we view and re-view several French movies; you will become a literary genius as we read and discuss a number of literary passages (including a novel); you will become a French T.V. critic, as we view some French T.V. shows and commercials. Class features such as the "statistique du jour" and the "locution du jour" will complement your learning. We will get to know each other exceptionally well, and form bonds that will endure well beyond the final exam.
ROFR 20300 CONVERSATIONAL FRENCH 1:55-2:45 MWF M.C. Escoda-Risto This course is designed primarily as an elective for non-majors and for students unable to study in a French speaking country who wish to enhance their conversational skills in French. It will not provide a comprehensive review of grammar but will instead assume this knowledge. On most days, the class will be divided into small discussion groups to grapple with a dilemma suggested by our textbook. Other class days will be spent on debates or individual oral presentations. There will be no written assignments or exams for this course. Grades will be based on frequent vocabulary quizzes, oral assignments, and an oral examination. Students must be willing to attend class every day and to participate actively and exclusively in the French language. Serves as a cognate towards the major.
ROFR 27500 APPROACHES TO FRENCH & FRANCOPHONE CULTURES
This content-driven course is intended for students who want to broaden their knowledge of the French language and related cultures, as well as improve both their understanding of the French and Francophone world and their communication skills in the French Language. Recent topics taught are Facets of French, France, and the French; French Civilization & Culture; Tahiti. Prereq ROFR 20202, 20215 or by placement.
ROFR 27500-01 FRANCE IN SEARCH OF HERSELF THROUGH THE LIEUX DE MÉMOIRE O. Menyard 1:30-2:45 MW
“France has her own identity she can be proud of… One ambition is to strengthen the identity of our Nation” (Brice Hortefeux, Missions et Rôle, Ministère de l’Immigration, de l’Intégration, de l’Identité Nationale et du Développement Solidaire). In this course, we will study the concept of “francité” through the [re] visiting of what Pierre Nora named “lieux de mémoire,” from “the most material and concrete object, sometimes geographically located, to the most abstract and intellectually constructed one.” We will question these lieux de mémoire—such as monuments, museums, archives, texts, symbols, institutions, events, places and people—that weave the collective memory, possibly to decipher the myths and observe their manipulations by religious and/or political entities through time. Student evaluations will be based on attendance and active participation, an oral presentation, a 4-5 pages essay, and a final project.
ROFR 27500-02 FRANCE’S POP CULTURE: THE POP CULTURE OF THE OTHER MEDIA, MUSIC, FILM, LITERATURE 11:45-1:00 MW O. Morel
In this course, we will learn how to read, listen and view contemporary France through the productions of its popular culture: through the media and the daily news, through its popular music, its cinema, its contemporary literature, through the influence of its capital (Paris), etc. We will also pay attention to the growing influence of the web and “new media.” This perspective will allow us to emphasize the impact of “other” cultures (or cultures viewed as “other”) on France's traditional values. To what extend France is becoming a highly cosmopolitan country? How? The purpose of this course is to try to answer these questions. Two short essays and a final paper will be required, as will active participation in class discussions.
ROFR 30310-01 TEXTUAL ANALYSIS: THE ART OF INTERPRETATION 11:45-1:00 MW A. Toumayan
The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the French technique of “explication de texte” (i. e. a very close reading and analysis of a short text) and other methods of literary analysis. Poetry, prose passages, and excerpts of plays from a range of literary periods will be examined. Each student will be responsible for several oral presentations in class, as well as two 3-5 page papers. There will also be a final exam and a few quizzes in lieu of a midterm exam. This course is required of all first and second majors. Prerequisite: Two semesters of French beyond ROFR 20201, or placement by exam.
ROFR 30310-02 ANALYSE TEXTUELLE: THE ART OF INTERPRETATION 1:30-2:45 MW O. Morel
In this course, we will engage in “close readings” of various texts: literary, artistic (performance or visual arts), and cinematographic. We will analyze these texts from various critical perspectives and discuss their stylistic and thematic elements. We will examine meter and rhyme and seek to gain a general sense of the evolution of poetry in French through the centuries. We will cover the technical terms of versification (such as: sonnet; alexandrin; césure) and crucial terms for literary analysis (such as: metaphor; irony; intertextuality; antithesis). We will study the interrelations between different works from the French and Francophone traditions, from a variety of periods and genres. Each student will present one 15-minute in-class exposé. Students will also complete two papers of critical analysis, one on a poem and the other on a piece of prose. Prerequisite: Two semesters of French beyond ROFR 20201, or placement by exam.
ROFR 30710-01 SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE I 12:30-1:45 TR M. Boulton
The course is designed to serve as an introduction to French literature of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Seventeenth Century. We will read a selection of representative works from authors of each period, including Marie de France, Chrétien de Troyes, Marguerite de Navarre, Ronsard, DuBellay, Labé, Montaigne, Pascal, Molière and Racine. In addition to acquiring a basic familiarity with early French literature, students will be introduced to the vocabulary of literary criticism. Close readings, some oral presentations (or explications), and active participation in classroom discussions are expected. All discussions and written work will be in French. A series of mini-essays, a 6-8 page term paper, an oral presentation (done in a group), and active and assiduous participation in class discussions will be required. Prerequisite: Two semesters of French beyond ROFR 20201, or placement by exam, or by permission. Cr-list MI
ROFR 30720-01 SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE II 3:30-4:45 TR C. Perry
This course is designed as an introduction to French and Francophone literatures from the 18th century to the present. It will cover works of representative authors (such as Montesquieu, Graffigny, Voltaire, San, Zola, Le Clézio, and Djavann), focusing this semester on the theme of "other" in literature. The juxtaposition of works by male and female authors who wrote on similar themes will also enable us to examine how literature represents the intersection of gender and sexuality with ethnicity, class, and nationality across several centuries and cultures. The course will be conducted in French. A series of mini-essays, a term paper, and a final exam will be required, as will active and assiduous participation in class discussions. Crosslisted with Gender Studies. Cr-list GS
ROFR 40220-01 LIFE, LOVE, AND LITERATURE IN RENAISSANCE LYON 9:30-10:45 TR J. DellaNeva
Lyon was the cultural capital of the French Renaissance, playing a role comparable in importance to that of Florence for the Italian Renaissance. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Lyon became a center for trade fairs and, consequently, for international banking. It played a critical role in the Reformation and was influential in the domains of medicine and architecture. It cultivated a thriving silk industry and became a major center for book publishing, while developing a sophisticated system of social welfare and labor protection. Its economic success spurred its primacy in the arts, including painting, music, theater, and literature. It can boast of being the residence of many Renaissance literary women, including the most celebrated female poet of that time. The discovery of Lyon’s ancient Roman ruins during the 16th century promoted the study of archeology and was a significant component of the phenomenon of the “Renaissance,” that is, a revival of classical culture. Students enrolled in this course will become acquainted with all the above-mentioned areas and will also be able to pursue a final research project on a cultural topic that suits their personal interests. Additionally, we will read extensively from the works of authors who lived in Lyon during its glory days, corresponding to roughly the first half of the sixteenth century. Foremost among these are the poets who comprise the “Lyonnais school” (Maurice Scève, Pernette Du Guillet, and Louise Labé, who has recently become the center of a literary controversy and mystery). We shall also read excerpts from many authors, writing in a variety of genres, associated with this city at various times in the Renaissance, including Lemaire de Belges, Rabelais, Marot, and the mysterious “Jeanne Flore,” among others. Requirements include several short oral and/or written assignments, including an oral and written explication of a poem, the oral presentation of an article/book chapter on a cultural topic, a very brief written description of any Renaissance book printed in Lyon found in the rare book room of our library, a one-minute biography of a Renaissance Lyonnais figure, a presentation of one of the city’s quartiers (featuring a parish church), and participation in a debate on the Louise Labé controversy. The course will culminate in an 8-10 pp. research paper on a cultural topic (with a summary to be presented orally to the class) in lieu of a final exam. Throughout the course, interactive, experiential, mutual learning will be emphasized.
IMPORTANT: I am planning on organizing an on-site study trip to Lyon during Fall break for a maximum of ten students! Please contact me by email ASAP if this prospect interests you, as space is limited. Your personal costs for this trip will depend largely on the size of the group interested, but our hope is to secure significant funding for this trip from sources at Notre Dame. I will hold an organizational meeting about this late in the Spring for those enrolled in this course who would like to study this amazing city firsthand. Crosslisted MI
ROFR 40835-01 CONTEMPORARY FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE FICTION 2:00-3:15 TR C. Perry
Through recent fiction by Francophone writers of Muslim origins, this course will offer us an opportunity to understand and reflect critically upon contemporary issues affecting relations between Muslim and Western cultures. We will read Tahar Ben Jelloun from Morocco (Partir, 2006), Yasmina Khadra from Algeria (Les Sirènes de Bagdad, 2006), Salim Bachi from Algeria (Le Silence de Mahomet, 2008), Chahdortt Djavann from Iran (La Muette, 2008), and Atiq Rahimi from Afghanistan (Syngué sabour: Pierre de patience, 2008, Prix Goncourt). Apart from their literary merits that call for examination and appreciation, these novels raise key issues in our world today, including exile, immigration, post colonialism, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Islamic extremism and terrorism, gender and social disparities, and various forms of violence. They also demonstrate various attempts to engage Western readers, in particular through an original, literary approach to the Prophet Muhammad’s biography. Class taught in French. Students are expected to participate fully in class discussions and will be responsible for two essays (one with the opportunity to revise and rewrite) as well as one oral presentation (done in a group). Crosslist with Gender Studies and Peace Studies
20000 level and above
ROFR 20201 INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I Various Times MWF
P. Martin, K. Werner
A third-semester college language course. Includes review and expansion of basic grammatical structures. Extensive practice in speaking and writing. Readings and discussions of a variety of literary and nonliterary texts of appropriate difficulty.
ROFR 20202 intermediate French II Various Times MWF
P. McDowell, Staff
A one-semester course designed to provide a transition between the lower-level language courses and the more challenging literature courses. It concentrates on a thorough grammar review and a genre-based writing program which provides a variety of effective strategies for more meaningful oral and written expression.
ROFR 20215 INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE FRENCH 1:55-2:45 MWF, 2:00-3:15 TR
P. McDowell
This course will meet the needs of two audiences: students who will be at the 201 level looking for the challenges and rewards of daily exposure to French language and culture, and students who will be at the 201 level who fit the previous description and are considering study in Angers, France. By meeting daily we will be able to accomplish a systematic review of and introduction to French grammar along with a number of cultural activities to cultivate your speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension skills; you will become an Internaute, surfing French web-sites; you will become the French Roger Ebert, as we view and re-view several French movies; you will become a literary genius as we read and discuss a number of literary passages (including a novel); you will become a French T.V. critic, as we view some French T.V. shows and commercials. Class features such as the "statistique du jour" and the "locution du jour" will complement your learning. We will get to know each other exceptionally well, and form bonds that will endure well beyond the final exam.
ROFR 20300 Conversational French 11:45-12:35 MWF
M.C. Escoda-Risto
This course is designed primarily as an elective for non-majors and for students unable to study in a French speaking country who wish to enhance their conversational skills in French. It will not provide a comprehensive review of grammar but will instead assume this knowledge. On most days, the class will be divided into small discussion groups to grapple with a dilemma suggested by our textbook. Other class days will be spent on debates or individual oral presentations. There will be no written assignments or exams for this course. Grades will be based on frequent vocabulary quizzes, oral assignments, and an oral examination. Students must be willing to attend class every day and to participate actively and exclusively in the French language. Serves as a cognate towards the major.
ROFR 22300-01, 02 LAC DISCUSSION: The Home Front: Women & Children’s Perspectives of World War in European literature & Film DAY/TIME TBD
M. Peracchio, STAFF
Students who have completed the Notre Dame language requirement in French are eligible to sign up for an additional single credit discussion section as part of the Languages Across the Curriculum (LxC) initiative of the College of Arts and Letters. Choosing this option means that students will do some additional reading in French language materials (approximately 20-25 pages a week), and meet once a week with a graduate student or faculty tutor from the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures who will guide a discussion in French and grade some brief writing assignments. The LxC discussion section in French associated with this course will be graded on a pass/fail basis and will be credited on the student's transcript. Up to three LxC discussion sections can be applied toward a major, secondary major or minor in French. Please talk to the instructor if you are interested in adding this supplemental credit.
ROFR 27500 APPROACHES TO FRENCH & FRANCOPHONE CULTURES
This content-driven course is intended for students who want to broaden their knowledge of the French language and related cultures, as well as improve both their understanding of the French and Francophone world and their communication skills in the French Language. Recent topics taught are Facets of French, France, and the French; French Civilization & Culture; Tahiti. Prereq ROFR 20202, 20215 or by placement.
ROFR 27500-01 FROM SENTENCE TO TEXT; THE PLAY OF SIGNS
P. Martin 11:45-1:00 MW
Intended for students who have completed the intermediate level language sequence, this course will use newspaper and magazine articles, essays, poetry and short stories to foster the development of active reading skills. Students will be encouraged to examine the process by which they bring general knowledge to bear on various forms of written communication, use cognates and context to infer meaning, and identify changes in textual orientation. Class discussion will focus on the recognition and analysis of organizational strategies, on how meaning is communicated across a broad range of cultural texts. Student evaluations will be based on class participation, an oral presentation on one of the assigned readings, and two written examinations.
ROFR 27500-02 METROPOLITAN FEVERS & PASSIONS
O. Morel 11:45-1:00 MW
The history of France and French-speaking countries (in Europe as well as in the colonial and postcolonial world) is marked by innumerable crises that are both profound and difficult to come to terms with. These disruptions have done lasting damage to the political, social, and cultural landscape. Historical fractures will be one of the central topics of this course. Their aftershocks continue to rattle contemporary debates in various forms, from political controversies to demonstrations, including the arts, literature, and film. We will study several episodes in an effort to determine the decisive components of French and Francophone civilization in 2007. We will draw especially from current events, novels, poetry, and cinema, as we examine the presence of History in a deeply challenged present context. Students will be evaluated according to two categories: 1. Oral participation 50% (attendance and active conversation in French for 25% and an oral presentation of 10-15 minutes on a course topic for 25%). 2. Written 50% (two written compositions of 2-3 pages for 30% and a two-hour final exam for 20%).
ROFR 30310-01 TEXTUAL ANALYSIS: THE ART OF INTERPRETATION 2:00-3:15 TR
A. Rice
In this course, we will engage in “close readings” of various texts: literary, artistic (performance or visual arts), or cinematographic. We will analyze these texts from various critical perspectives and discuss their stylistic and thematic elements. We will examine meter and rhyme and seek to gain a general sense of the evolution of poetry in French through the centuries. We will cover the technical terms of versification (such as: sonnet; alexandrine; césure) and crucial terms for literary analysis (such as: metaphor; irony; intertextuality; antithesis). We will study the interrelations between different works from the French and Francophone traditions, from a variety of periods and genres. Each student will present one 15-minute in-class exposé. Students will also complete two papers of critical analysis, one on a poem and the other on a piece of prose.
ROFR 30710 SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE I 11:45-1:00 MW
J. DellaNeva
The course is designed to serve as an introduction to French literature of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Seventeenth Century. We will read a selection of representative whole works from authors of each period, including Marie de France, Chrétien de Troyes, Marguerite de Navarre, Ronsard, DuBellay, Labé, Montaigne, Pascal, Molière and Racine. In addition to acquiring a basic familiarity with early French literature, students will be introduced to the vocabulary of literary criticism. Close readings, some oral presentations (or explications), and active participation in classroom discussions are expected. All discussions and written work will be in French. Three moderate length papers and a final exam will be required. Cr-list MI
ROFR 30720 SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE II
3:30-4:45 TR
A. Toumayan
An examination of some representative and major figures and the principal movements in French literary history from the Enlightenment to the twenty-first century. Works by Voltaire, Rousseau, Flaubert, Baudelaire, Proust, and Makine will be considered with close attention both to problems of reading and interpretation and to the historical and cultural context of the periods the works represent. Conducted in French and required for majors and minors. Prerequisites: by placement, 200-level French course or equivalent, or by permission. Requirements: one oral presentation, two papers, final examination.
ROFR 30932 POLITICS OF FICTIONS, FICTIONS OF POLITICS 1:30-2:45 MW
O. Morel
This course will examine a variety of French literary works from the 19th and 20th centuries that portray aspects of revolt, critical engagement, and resistance versus collaboration, participation, and propaganda. It will focus on the literary transcriptions of major political events, changes, and crises of the French and francophone sphere since 1848, from the beginning of the Republic until the post-communist, post-colonial period. We will also explore the influence of fictional productions and perspectives on daily politics in France and some francophone countries today. Readings will focus on the interactions of politics and literature. For example, we will reflect on works of fiction that engage in what historian Marc Ferro calls “counter-analysis” of society. We will also explore some cinematographic examples of this. The course will be conducted in French. Two short essays and a substantial final paper will be required, as will active participation in class discussions.
La grande question de ce cours, très massive et très brièvement posée est la suivante : quoi des rapports entre politique et fiction aujourd’hui ? A travers l’évolution des formes de récits et de la politique actuelle, nous verrons comment cette distinction est aussi en crise : de nombreux textes littéraires proclament depuis longtemps la fin des « récits », ou l’éclatement des schèmes esthétiques, alors que parallèlement la politique a de plus en plus recours au registre épique, tragique, narratif et plus généralement à la dimension esthétique pour parvenir à ses fins.
ROFR 40100 INTRODUCTION TO OLD FRENCH & ANGLO-NORMAN 9:30-10:45 TR
M. Boulton
The course is designed to be an introduction to the language of medieval literature. We will read selections from several texts of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries in the original, as well as others in translation. Among the works included will be Marie de France’s Lai de Fresne, Aucassin et Nicolette, Chrétien de Troyes’ Perceval, the prose romances of Tristan and Lancelot, and poetry of the trouvères. The dialect of French used in England after the Conquest will receive particular attention. The course will be taught in English, but requires a good reading knowledge of modern French. May satisfy the second language requirement for the M.A. in French. Requirements: In-class translations; 3 short papers; final examination.
ROFR 40411 A REVOLUTION IN FICTION 11:00-12:15 TR
J. Douthwaite
This course will allow undergraduates with advanced proficiency in French (and graduate students with permission) to delve into literary study of key works that all turn around the French Revolution: the cataclysmic period from 1789-1803 when Europe watched in horror (or glee) as an ancient feudal monarchy that was slowly crumbling under the weight of its own intellectual ambitions suddenly morphed into a nation with radically egalitarian aspirations. The striking personalities that marked this epoch—of thick-witted Louis XVI and his frivolous wife Marie-Antoinette, the gargantuan orators Danton and Mirabeau, the sly and eloquent Robespierre—coupled with the dramatic sequence of events that led from the storming of the Bastille to the bloody days of the Terror, provide a fascinating toile de fond for a variety of literary experiments. Coupled with our literary study will be an inquiry into the political forces that abruptly brought down the monarchy and by fits and starts throughout the 19th century led to the establishment of modern democracy. Students will receive training in scholarly writing in French, techniques for in-depth analysis of literary texts, and a greater familiarity with revolutionary history, as well as background on the literary trends and movements that gave birth to the works to be studied (littérature engagée, romanticism, feminism) and genres featured (allegory, memoirs, historical novel, detective story and “frenetic” tale).
Requirements include: assiduous reading and contribution to daily discussions, three short essays (2 pp.) in response to the readings, and a 12-15 page research paper. Students will also work in small teams to prepare a 2-page article report and oral presentation for the class. The research project will evolve gradually: over the course of the semester, students will present a précis explaining their research idea, then an annotated bibliography, and a first draft, before submitting a revised final version at the end of the semester.
Novels to be studied include: J.-J. Regnault-Warin, Le Cimetière de la Madeleine (1800); Honoré de Balzac, Les Chouans (1829); Chantal Thomas, Les Adieux à la Reine (2002) We will also study pamphlet literature from the revolutionary era such as Anon., Histoire véritable de Gingigolo, roi de Mano-Emugi (1789), and short stories by writers such as Alfred de Vigny, Alexandre Dumas, and Charles Nodier. Students will be actively involved in an exciting bilingual colloquium that will take place on campus during October 6-7, 2008. The French-American colloquium on “New Paradigms in Revolutionary Studies” will bring to South Bend scholars from around the world to discuss recent approaches to studying the French Revolution in literature, art history, and historiography. For more information, see: <www.nd.edu/~colloque/index.html>
ROFR 40836 WOMEN'S VOICES IN FRENCH PROSE FROM THE 20TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT 12:30-1:45 TR
C. Perry
Focusing on narrative French prose by 20th-century and contemporary women writers from France, Québec, North Africa, and Vietnam, this course will retrace historical variations in women’s literary “voices,” enabling us to examine the stability of such concepts as gender identity, voice and silence, the public and the private, convention and subversion. We will also explore some of the challenges posed to women writers, ways in which women translate biographical contexts into texts (or the personal into the universal), and ways in which culture and ethnicity may influence gender politics. Various essays by male authors will enable us to understand how women’s writing was perceived in the early 20th century. Other essays, or excerpts of essays, in feminist criticism and theory will help us address questions about the essentialist notion of “écriture féminine” as reflecting a female outlook and approach to language. During the semester we will also view 2 movies. Discussions will be conducted in French. Students are expected to participate fully in class discussions and will be responsible for two essays (one with the opportunity to revise and rewrite) as well as one oral presentation (done in a group). Assiduous preparation for and participation in class discussions are essential. There will be no exam. This course is crosslisted with Gender Studies.
ROFR 41590 FRENCH THEATRE PRODUCTION 5:00-6:15 TR
P. McDowell
This is an incredible opportunity to know a great piece of literature inside out, and in the process, form remarkable bonds with your classmates. In this unique undertaking, students will collaborate on the production of a French play, and even those who have never acted before will discover their hidden talents. During the fall semester, we start with a viewing and acting survey of Molière's theatre, then move on to blocking and interpretation of a Molière play. Spring semester begins with us spending four hours together every night working on an intense preparation for our three performances in late January to sold-out houses. There is absolutely no acting experience required; through the years, the vast majority of actors in the French play had never set foot on a stage before their French theatrical debut. Auditions will likely be held the first Tuesday and Thursday of the fall semester. Crosslist FTT
ROFR 20201 INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I Various Times MWF
P. Martin, K. Werner
A third-semester college language course. Includes review and expansion of basic grammatical structures. Extensive practice in speaking and writing. Readings and discussions of a variety of literary and nonliterary texts of appropriate difficulty.
ROFR 20202 INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II Various Times MWF
V. Dasse-Askildson, K. Werner
A one-semester course designed to provide a transition between the lower-level language courses and the upper-division literature courses. It concentrates on a thorough grammar review and a genre-based writing program which provides a variety of effective strategies for more meaningful oral and written expression. We will also read Marcel Pagnol’s Manon des sources, and view the movie of the same name. Prerequisite: ROFR 20201.
ROFR 20215 INTENSIVE INTERMEDIATE FRENCH 1:55-2:45 MWF,
11:00-12:15 T/R
P. McDowell
This new intensive course will meet the needs of two audiences: students who will be at the 201 level looking for the challenges and rewards of daily exposure to French language and culture, and students who will be at the 201 level who fit the previous description and are considering study in Angers, France. By meeting daily we will be able to accomplish a systematic review of and introduction to French grammar along with a number of cultural activities to cultivate your speaking, writing reading and comprehension skills; you will become an Internaute, surfing French web-sites; you will become the French Roger Ebert, as we view and re-view several French movies; you will become a literary genius as we read and discuss a number of literary passages (including a novel); you will become a French T.V. critic, as we view some French T.V. shows and commercials (students will also create their own commercial à la française). Class features such as the "statistique du jour" and the "locution du jour" will complement your learning. We will get to know each other exceptionally well, and form bonds that will endure well beyond the final exam.
ROFR 20300 CONVERSATIONAL FRENCH 9:35-10:25 MWF
M.C. Escoda-Risto
This is a one semester course intended for students who have had a significant exposure to the basic principles of the French language, and who are interested in acquiring greater proficiency in their oral expression. It will not provide a comprehensive review of grammar, but will instead assume this knowledge. In addition to the exercises set forth in the syllabus, students will be asked to participate in the creation of a video. Prerequisite: ROFR 20202 or 20215
ROFR 20305 FRENCH THROUGH ACTING 2:00-3:15 T/R
P. McDowell
A conversational French course with a dramatic twist. The core of this course is an intensely collaborative and creative process that takes the form of a soap opera of sorts, which contextualizes the French idioms and uniquely French gestures presented in class. These soap opera scenes that students write, using student created characters who live in the same apartment building, will be performed for later video analysis of phonetics and gestures. This year’s iteration of French through Acting will feature a new emphasis on French phonetics. Students write scenes using carefully selected idioms that represent a concentrated cross-section of idioms that one would likely encounter in France. If you’ve ever wondered how the French say my room is a pigsty or I haven’t met Mr. Right yet, or what gesture the French would use to convey that someone is lazy, this may well be the course for you. Course size is strictly limited to 15 students, and registration is by instructor approval only. Contact Professor McDowell at mcdowell.2@nd.edu, or 1-7320. Prerequisite: ROFR 20202 or ROFR 20215
ROFR 21205 ANGERS: ATELIER PRÉPARATOIRE 7:00-8:15 TBD
A. Toumayan
A 1 credit preparation for studies at Notre Dame's international study Program in Angers, France. A course packet with a variety of cultural readings will form the core of the course. Student centered discussions, combined with ample opportunity for Q&A, will prepare students for most of what awaits them in France. Enrollment will take place after students have been selected for the program. Course will begin meeting one week after Spring break.
ROFR 22300 LAC DISCUSSION GROUP: HISTORY THROUGH HER STORY (GSC 30574) 4:00-5:00 W
A. Palko
In the past few decades, historical fiction has become an increasingly popular literary genre for several important reasons. In this course, a survey of twentieth-century women writers from around the Atlantic Triangle, we will read novels from Senegal, Algeria, the Caribbean, Ireland, the United States, and Canada, to examine the ways in which the writers explore their personal relationship to history, as well as history’s impact on the women of their nations. Turning to the past enables a novelist to distance herself from the society and historical moment in which she writes; this distance can free her from contemporary perspectives and allow her to critique her society. Historical fiction can also permit her to consider a point of view not recorded in history. Our readings, which will begin by attempting to define historical fiction, will be guided by questions the following statements prompt: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (George Santayana) “Well-behaved women seldom make history.” (Laurel Ulrich Thatcher). “The one duty we have to history is to rewrite it.”(Oscar Wilde) With each novel, we will consider the impact of twentieth-century political developments on women, with especial consideration for the ways their roots have been tangled by the routes colonialism forced upon their ancestors. Such a reading will also permit us to explore other pertinent themes, such as political and social issues, expressions of sexuality, the role of religion in society, and images of nationhood.
ROFR 27500 APPROACHES TO FRENCH & FRANCOPHONE CULTURES
This content-driven course is intended for students who want to broaden their knowledge of the French language and related cultures, as well as improve both their understanding of the French and Francophone world and their communication skills in the French Language. Recent topics taught are Facets of French, France, and the French; French Civilization & Culture; Tahiti.
Prereq ROFR 20202, 20215 or by placement.
ROFR 27500-01 DECIPHERING FRANCE ON THE FRONT PAGE
O. Morel 1:30-2:45 M/W
In many ways 2007 and 2008 were important years in the course of French history. With presidential and legislative elections taking place in the spring 2007, France was on the cover page not only of French newspapers, but also of publications around the world. This course will analyze the coverage of this recent historic electoral period and its aftermath by examining daily media representations from and about France today. We will pay special attention to the way politics interact with cultural and social phenomena, taking into account the regional affiliations of the French and the country’s changing status in international affairs. The course will be conducted in French. Two short essays and a final paper will be required, as will active participation in class discussions.
ROFR 27500-02 NARRATING FRENCH CULTURE: CONTEXTUALIZING STATISTICS TO UNDERSTAND FRANCE TODAY
P. McDowell 11:45-1:00 M/W
This course will introduce students to a veritable goldmine of statistics gleaned largely from Gérard Mermet’s biennial publication, Francoscopie; the statistics that are found in this exhaustive book gauge nearly all facets of French life (e.g., twice as many women than men in France read three or more books per month; the average length of retirement in France has more than doubled since 1950; the average age at the time of first marriage in France has increased by six years since 1980). Major categories of Mermet’s book include the individual, the family, society, work, money and pastimes. Clearly, any other reliable source of statistics or poll-numbers will be considered. To give context to these statistics, relevant articles from current French newspapers and magazines will be examined. Reportages from the daily TF1 1:00 newscast, which is very heavy on cultural vignettes, will be added to the mix. The goal is to lead students to a deeper understanding of where France is today, and help them supply a narrative to better comprehend France today. Students will be tested on course content by means of a mid-term and a final exam, as well as a series of quizzes; each student will also research supporting material to contextualize statistics for an in-class presentation.
ROFR 30310 ANALYSE TEXTUELLE: THE ART OF INTERPRETATION
A. Rice 11:00-12:15 T/R
In this course, we will engage in “close readings” of various texts: literary, artistic (performance or visual arts), or cinematographic. We will analyze these texts from various critical perspectives and discuss their stylistic and thematic elements. We will examine meter and rhyme and seek to gain a general sense of the evolution of poetry in French through the centuries. We will cover the technical terms of versification (such as: sonnet; alexandrine; césure) and crucial terms for literary analysis (such as: metaphor; irony; intertextuality; antithesis). We will study the interrelations between different works from the French and Francophone traditions, from a variety of periods and genres. Each student will present one 15-minute in-class exposé. Students will also complete two papers of critical analysis, one on a poem and the other on a piece of prose.
ROFR 30320 ADVANCED GRAMMAR & WRITING 1:30-2:45 M/W
V. Dasse-Askildson
Advanced-level course given in French. We will discuss the themes, style, and rhetorical structures of a varied group of texts (literary, political, cultural, and critical). The emphasis lies in the development of advanced writing skills focusing on clarity and correctness of the language through various weekly writing assignments and written explications de textes.
ROFR 30510-01 ON STAGE AND SCREEN: (FRENCH THEATER AND FILM FROM 1900 – 1967)
A. Toumayan 3:30-4:45 T/R
This course will examine the parallel and related evolutions of theater and film from the beginning of the twentieth century to the eve of May 1968. We will study the principal playwrights and film makers, works, and movements as well as the manner in which these works both expressed and influenced the dominant ideological trends and aesthetic movements of the first two-thirds of the century. Texts by Anouilh, Artaud, Beckett, Camus, Claudel, Cocteau, Giraudoux, Ionesco, and Sartre. Films (or excerpts of films) by Carne, Cocteau, Godard, Marker, Resnais, and Renoir. Conducted in French. Prerequisites: by placement, 200-level French course or equivalent, or by permission. Requirements: one oral presentation, two papers, final examination.
ROFR 30710 SURVEY OF FRENCH LITERATURE I 3:00-4:15 M/W
M. Boulton
The course is designed to serve as an introduction to French literature of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Seventeenth Century. We will read a selection of representative whole works from authors of each period, including Marie de France, Chrétien de Troyes, Marguerite de Navarre, Ronsard, Du Bellay, Labé, Montaigne, Pascal, Molière and Racine. In addition to acquiring a basic familiarity with early French literature, students will be introduced to the vocabulary of literary criticism. Close readings, some oral presentations (or explications), and active participation in classroom discussions are expected. All discussions and written work will be in French. Three moderate length (5-7 pages) papers and a final exam will be required.
ROFR 30720 SURVEY OF FRENCH LISTERATURE II 2:00-3:15 T/R
C. Perry
This course is designed as an introduction to French and Francophone literatures from the 18th century to the present. It will cover works of representative authors (such as Montesquieu, Graffigny, Voltaire, Sand, Zola, Colette, and 2008 Nobel Prize winner Le Clézio), focusing this semester on the theme of the "other" in literature. The juxtaposition of works by male and female authors who wrote on similar themes will also enable us to examine how literature represents the intersection of gender and sexuality with ethnicity, class, and nationality across several centuries and cultures. The course will be conducted in French. A series of mini-essays, a term paper, and active and assiduous participation in class discussions will be required. CL Gender Studies.
ROFR 30910 CARIBBEAN DIASPORAS 2:00-3:15 T/R
K. Richman
This intermediate level course is intended for students who have taken Beginning level Creole. In small-group teaching sessions, students will be prepared for conversational fluency with basic reading and writing skills, emphasizing communicative competence as well as grammatical and phonetic techniques. Our study of Kreyòl is closely linked to our exploration of how the language is tied to Caribbean society and culture. Evaluation of student achievement and proficiency will be conducted both informally and formally during and at the conclusion of the course. Those looking to develop or improve their language skills are welcome to the class. The program is designed to meet the needs of those who plan to conduct research in Haiti or in the Haitian diaspora, or who intend to work in a volunteer or professional capacity either in Haiti or with Haitians abroad. Crosslist ILS 30103. Taught in English.
ROFR 40222 MUSIC AND LYRICS IN THE FRENCH RENAISSANCE 11:45-1:00 M/W
J. DellaNeva
This course will provide a survey of all the poetic traditions developed during the 16th century in France, including selections from Marot, Scève, Du Guillet, Labé, Du Bellay, Ronsard, Sponde, Chassignet, La Ceppède, D’Aubigné, and Desportes. These will treat diverse topics such as love, religion, satire, and politics; these poems will be studied within a broad cultural context. Special attention will be given to Renaissance musical adaptations of these lyrics. Each day, a small number of poems will be read and thoroughly prepared by all students, and some poems will be the subject of an in-depth explication de texte on the part of one student. Occasionally, recent critical articles on these poems will also be read and discussed to provide a model for sophisticated analysis, as students will be drawing from and developing skills learned in Textual Analysis (which should have already been taken or should be taken concurrently). Active, thoughtful participation, based upon careful reading of the designated material, is essential. In addition, there will be two moderate-length analytical papers, an hourly exam, and a final exam.
ROFR 40831 WORLD LITERATURE IN FRENCH 12:30-1:45 T/R
A. Rice
This course takes its name from a manifesto published on March 16, 2007 in the French newspaper Le Monde: “Pour une ‘littérature-monde’ en français.” Signed by 44 writers, the document argues in favor of “liberating” the French language “from its exclusive pact with the nation” and highlights the desire among many contemporary writers of French to be respected as authors of “world literature.” In this class, we pay special attention to textual expressions of two phenomena that are currently coming together in interesting ways in France and the Francophone world: “postcolonialism” and “globalization.” We also examine the many forms of multiculturalism and multilingualism in works of French fiction. The writers whose novels and essays we study include: Bessora from Belgium; Hélène Cixous from Algeria; Maryse Condé from Guadeloupe; Nancy Huston from Canada; Julia Kristeva from Bulgaria; Dany Laferrière from Haiti; Alain Mabanckou from the Congo; Andreï Makine from Russia; Zahia Rahmani from Algeria. We watch two films as well, in an effort to discern how this particular mode of representation compares with and differs from the written text. Assignments include a mid-term paper of approximately 6-7 pages and a final paper of 10-12 pages, as well as short in-class writing assignments and a 15-minute oral presentation.
ROFR 53000 SENIOR SEMINAR: Humanisme et Responsabilité 9:30-10:45 T/R
A. Toumayan
An interdisciplinary investigation of the idea of the responsibility of both individuals and sovereign states to respond to social injustice, political persecution or conflict, natural disasters, and humanitarian crises. The course will focus on points of convergence between Emmanuel Levinas' concept of responsibility and The Responsibility to Protect by Gareth Evans and Mohammed Sahnoun. Course to be taught in French. Readings include works by: Voltaire, Hugo, Zola, Camus, Sartre, Wiesel, Levinas, and Evans and Sahnoun. Paintings by Delacroix and Millet.
