•Undergraduate
•Graduate

Detailed course information

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Institut's curriculum includes general and advanced courses in French language, literature, history and economics. The plan of study is designed to accomplish two main purposes. The first is to provide work in French language of such a nature that each student will make appreciable progress in fluency, comprehension and writing. The second is to provide courses covering material pertinent to the understanding of modern France and the appreciation of French culture. Students also attend a series of lectures given by visiting speakers and are expected to participate in supplementary discussions. Individual drill in French phonetics is available for students who need to do remedial work in French pronunciation. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the listening and recording equipment available at the Palais du Roure.


COURSES OFFERED IN 2008

Undergraduate Courses

French S 201
COURS AVANCÉ DE LANGUE FRANÇAISE
A general review of grammar and language problems with the goal of improving written and oral skills in French. (M. Giraud)

French S 207
TERREUR, VIOLENCE ET LITTÉRATURE AU VINGTIÈME SIÈCLE

According to Jean Paulhan, much of 20th century literature was devoted to the experience of "Terror,"  while other writers declared that beauty needed to be "convulsive" or that all writing was nothing but "cochonnerie."  How did such a "terroristic" imperative become central to literature?  What is the relationship between literary and other forms of terror in a century marked by violence?  With these questions in mind we will read works by authors such as Artaud, Bataille, Blanchot, Breton, Camus, Céline, Paulhan, Sartre. (E. Trudel)

French S 208
LE THÉÂTRE MODERNE: COURS ET ATELIER DE JEU THÉÂTRAL

A study of dominant visions and techniques in modern theater (Artaud's théâtre de la cruauté, theater of the absurd, etc.), and a workshop with training in the projection of voice, diction, memorization, staging and acting. Excerpts from plays by authors such as Ionesco, Beckett, Genet, Minyana, Durringer will be staged and presented to the public. (P. Osmalin)

French S 215
LA PROVENCE: PAYSAGES LITTÉRAIRES

A study of the diversity of landscapes of Provence (Camargue, Comtat Venaissin, Haute Provence, etc.) through major literary works anchored in specific locations.  We will analyze the ways in which, for authors such as Giono, Bosco and Char, Provence is not simply a decor but an enigmatic and dangerous character. (G. Tellène)

Economics S 201
L'ÉCONOMIE ET LA CIVILASATION DE L'EUROPES

A study of contemporary French economic policies in the context of the political institutions of the European Union, with particular emphasis on the anthropological and philosophical motivations at work in the development of these policies.  The course will include a number of field trips to businesses in the region so that students may observe the practical results of what we will have studied in terms of the adaptation of local commerce to increasingly globalized markets. (J.-R. Alcaras)

French S 325
THÉÂTRE NOIR À AVIGNON

A critical analysis of modern and contemporary drama written by Carribean and African playwrights from the Francophone world(Guadeloupe, Martinique, Benin, Ivory Coast), focusing on the evolving status of Black Theater in the history of the Avignon Festival.  Readings include Aimé Césaire, Ina Césaire, Maryse Condé, Simone Schwartz-Bart, Koffi Kwahulé, José Pliya.  (S. Bérard)

 

Graduate Courses

French S 502
STYLISTIQUE

A graduate workshop in close reading and analytical skills.  We will concentrate on how meaning is produced at the level of the text.  Using the tools of rhetoric and stylistic analysis, we will look closely at texts from a number of genres (poetry, fiction, theater). (G. Prince)

French S 504
QUERELLE LITTéRAIRE ET DRAME SOCIAL SOUS L'ANCIEN RéGIME

This course will study literary quarrels and the politics of theater in the Ancien Régime, with emphasis on the relation between public social performance and literary polemics in the seventeenth and eighteenth century (Querelle du Cid, Critique de  L'Ecole des femmes, Anciens vs. Modernes).  (M. Chihaia)

French S 525
THÉÂTRE NOIR À AVIGNON

A critical analysis of modern and contemporary drama written by Carribean and African playwrights from the Francophone world(Guadeloupe, Martinique, Benin, Ivory Coast), focusing on the evolving status of Black Theater in the history of the Avignon Festival.  Readings include Aimé Césaire, Ina Césaire, Maryse Condé, Simone Schwartz-Bart, Koffi Kwahulé, José Pliya.  (S. Bérard)

French S 540
HISTORIOGRAPHIE, POLITIQUE ET ÉMOTIONS

Drawing from specific examples of historical writing around such issues as war and memory, this course will concentrate on the ways history has been written over the last century, with emphasis on the political, social and also emotional factors that have influenced historiography in the 20th century.  (C. Prochasson)

 


 

NOTE: Courses on the 500-level carry graduate credit. Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to these courses with the consent of the Director.

Each student must enroll in two courses, for a total of two units of academic credit. Attendance at all class meetings is required. Courses are so organized as to include student participation in classroom discussion.
 
The student who wishes transfer credits should make the necessary arrangements with the appropriate officer of his/her own college or university.

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INSTITUT D'ETUDES FRANÇAISES D'AVIGNON • BRYN MAWR COLLEGE • 101 N. MERION AVENUE • BRYN MAWR, PA 19010 • (610) 526-5198• avignon@brynmawr.edu
Page created by Oliva Cardona; last updated on 10/26/07 by Oliva Cardona (ocardona@brynmawr.edu) © 2007 Bryn Mawr College