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
This particular class, despite the official description which I can't change, focusses on French and Italian women's writing from the sixteenth century. Feminist theory will be presented not in and of itself, but as one tool that may facilitate our understanding of these texts. Main texts will be: Gaspara Stampa Selected Poems; WOmen Poets of the Italian Renaissance; Complete WOrks of Louise Labe; Marguerite de Navarre's Heptameron.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Class will be in English, since it will attract majors from both French and Italian, and perhaps others. I insist strongly on participation, and have a broad definition of what that means: to me , participation is not simply speaking in class, but it involves a deep level of engagement with the material that you can prove to me in many ways - through e-mails, online discussions, independent research, coming to office hours etc. Note: French majors will be expected to read in French where possible, and to write their final paper in French. Italian majors: ditto, but substitute Italian for French, obviously. Non-French or Italian majors can write and read everything in English.
Recommended preparation
Come with a willingness to listen respectfully to your peers and to me, to disagree respectfully if you want to, to contribute actively in the way you feel most comfortable, and to ask questions. Be ready to do at least one collaborative project, either a group presentation or a report.
Class assignments and grading
One ten-page paper due at 4 pm on the final day of instruction. One "explication de texte" (I will explain what this is - it is a short assignment and requires no research). One class presentation. Active participation in discussion, whether in class or online. Possibly - depending on what the class reaction is to this - I will ask groups of students to "lead" discussion of particular poems or articles for 20 or so minutes of class time.
NB - this is pROVISIONAL. Paper: 60 per cent. Explication de texte: 5 per cent. Participation: 25 per cent. Presentation: 10 per cent. This may change.
