Going South: « Le Sud » and Its Representations in French Literature and Culture
FREN 236
Fall 2013
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01
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The course explores representations of "le Sud" across media, from myths and legends to songs, literature, film, and television. We will learn the origins of Provençal identity and how its portrayal has evolved over time. We will gain a greater knowledge of the many artists and thinkers who have been drawn to the South. Eventually, we will work out a new definition of "le Sud," from Provence to one that includes other Souths such as the global South represented by immigrants from former French colonies.
Although a geographical denomination, a cardinal point, "le Sud" is a contradictory and moving space. The French anthem was first sung on one of Marseille's streets (rue Thubaneau) and the city remains a cosmopolitan port, open to migrations. The 2005 riots did not affect Marseille, yet the first elected mayors from the far-right Front National were in Orange, Toulon, and Vitrolles. The South remains a place of light and sun that attracted numerous painters and a place of dark and shady business run by local and international mafias. How have these contradictions shaped "le Sud" as territory, community, and idea, and how do they function within definitions of French identity? |
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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: (FRST-MN)(FRST)(RMST) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Martin Garrett. PROVENCE: A CULTURAL HISTORY (Oxford University Press, 2006)
Course packet includes works by Van Gogh, Cézanne, Frédéric Mistral, Alphonse Daudet, Jean Giono, Marcel Pagnol, Jean-Baptiste Reboul (La cuisine Provençale), Laurence William Wylie, M.F.K. Fisher, Peter Mayle, Jean-Claude Izzo.
Movies: Le Chateau de ma mère, la Gloire de mon père, L'Homme qui plantait des arbres, Crin blanc, L'Été meurtrier, Un deux trois soleil, Marius et Jeannette, La Graine et le mulet.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Students will read assigned texts and be exposed to at least one media production (film, TV or radio program) each week. Students will be asked to participate in class discussions and maintain a critical journal (20%). There will be an in-class presentation on a specific cultural event (20%) and three 4-5 page critical essays (20% +20% +20%). |
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 introductory course intended for students who have just completed FREN 215 or not taken more than one course in French beyond 215 and not yet studied abroad in a French-speaking country. Readings, written assignments and class discussions will be in French. |
| Instructor(s): Ponsavady,Stéphanie Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM; Location: RLAN106; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 18 | | SR major: 0 | JR major: 6 | | |
| Seats Available: 3 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 10 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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