Time Schedule:
Louisa Mackenzie
FRENCH 592
Seattle Campus
Class description
Approaches to 16th-century French literature. Primary and secondary texts vary each year: past years have included Rabelais and Montaigne, Lyric Poetry.
SPRING 2008 Course description:
Literary Theory / Renaissance Texts
This course will present selected texts from 16th-century France in dialogue with some major tendencies in literary and critical theory and practice. We will be considering the strengths and weaknesses of particular critical approaches to the texts as much as we will consider the texts themselves. Thus, the course is designed both to introduce some key 16th-century French texts and to explicitly work on the ability to position ourselves with respect to secondary critical arguments. For example, we will read Louise Labé as touchstone for feminist theory and critical practice, particularly in light of recent scholarship suggesting she did not exist: what does this do, if anything, to the strengths and insights of feminist-oriented criticism? Other approaches include New Historicism, post-structuralism including deconstruction, queer and gender theories, interdisciplinarity and cultural studies. Primary texts, including Marguerite de Navarre, Rabelais, Ronsard, Montaigne, and Louise Labe, will be presented in extracted form. All readings will be available in course readers. Readings are in French and English; discussion in English; papers should be written in French if students are in the French graduate programme.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Small, seminar-style.
Recommended preparation
Open only to graduate students. Not suitable for students unable to read fluently in French.
Class assignments and grading
Class presentations; bibliography; abstract of final paper; final paper. Continuing participation and contribution.
Bibliography: 10% Presentations: 15% Participation: 25% Final paper abstract: 5% Final paper: 45%
