FREN 332 - Literature and Society in Pre-Revolutionary France

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

Topic for 2013/14b: Crime and Punishment in Early Modern France. What was considered criminal behavior under French law from the Middle Ages to the Revolution, and why does it still matter today? Who determined guilt, and what kinds of punishments were inflicted? This seminar on crime, prejudice, and the struggle for civil rights examines from a modern perspective some of the most famous courtroom battles of history. It provides a look into the lives of heretics and rebels, enemies of the state, and hapless individuals caught up in the machinery of government. We read court transcripts and literary texts, explore cinematic adaptations, and analyze how modern scholars, film directors, and politicians have exploited these celebrated cases. Historical figures studied include Joan of Arc, Fouquet, Molière, Voltaire, Sade, Louis XVI, and Marie Antoinette. Ms. Kerr.

Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite for all advanced courses: 1 unit of 200-level work above FREN 212, or Study Abroad in France or in a French-speaking country, or by permission of the department. Open to freshman and sophomores only by permission of the instructor.

One 2-hour period.