Time Schedule:
Louisa Mackenzie
FRENCH 445
Seattle Campus
Focuses on French women writers and writing about women. Chronological and geographic ranges varies. Gender issues addressed in critical fashion, considering the different historical and ideological contexts in which each of the works were produced. Prerequisite: FRENCH 303; either FRENCH 304, FRENCH 305, FRENCH 306, FRENCH 307.
Class description
Sample texts--whole or extracted--by women in French. CHronological range will be broad, from the Middle Ages through the 20th century. Some feminist theory will be presented, with particular focus on Franco-American debates and misunderstandings.
Student learning goals
At the end of the quarter, students should be able to: - Be familiar with works by some representative French women writers. - Describe and analyze how women have negotiated a place for themselves in French culture through the ages despite constraints. - Understand something of the shifting position of women in French society dependent on historical context. - Resume some of the characteristics of French feminist thought, and its differences from Anglophone feminisms. - Start to think critically about ideas such as femininity and masculinity, as categories that are as much cultural as biological. - Start to think critically about how gender intersects with other kinds of identity (national, racial, political).
General method of instruction
Seminar-style, student participation very much encouraged.
Recommended preparation
Students shall have completed all composition classes and at least two of the 304-307 series.
Class assignments and grading
Ongoing reading responses, one discussion question, two short quizzes, one short oral presentation, one final 10-page paper.
