The French Enlightenment and Its Discontents
FREN 301
Spring 2012 not offered
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To what extent was the Enlightenment universal? Who were the dissenting voices in 18th-century French literature and thought? What is the anti-Enlightenment? During the first half of the semester, we will identify the basic tenets of LES LUMIÈRES: the belief in humankind's perfectibility, the certitude that knowledge leads to progress, and the conviction that the human condition was somehow universal. In the second half of this course, we will catalog the fissures in such an all-encompassing program, e.g., discourses on race, class, and the status of women in 18th-century France. This survey will ultimately lead us to the study of a series of writers who disavowed Enlightenment philosophy by preaching debauchery and/or nihilistic views of the human condition. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Ethical Reasoning, Intercultural Literacy
Students will analyze, speak and write about 18th-century philosophical texts written in French.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA RLAN |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (COL)(FRST-MN)(FRST)(RMST) |
Major Readings:
Buffon, L'HISTOIRE NATURELLE (selections)
Voltaire, ZADIG
-- "Dictionnaire Philosophique"
Diderot, LE NEVEU DE RAMEAU
Beaumarchais, LE MARIAGE DE FIGARO
Retif de la Bretonne, LA PAYSANNE PERVERTIE
Olympe de Gouges, LE DANGER DES PREJUGES
-- "Pamphlets Revolutionnaires"
La Mettrie, L'HOMME MACHINE (selections)
Sade, LA PHILOSOPHIE DANS LE BOUDOIR
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Examinations and Assignments:
Three short papers and re-writes, oral presentations, final take home essay. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
While any student who has completed FREN 215 (with a minimum grade of B) or has placed out of FREN 215 through the placement test may sign up for this course, it is an advanced course intended for students who have already taken two courses in French beyond FREN 215 or already studied abroad in a French-speaking country. Readings, written assignments and class discussions will be in French. Only COL students my take this course CR/U. All others must take it for a letter grade. |
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