French Histories: National Identity and Narratives since the Third Republic
FREN 399
Fall 2019
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01
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At the end of the nineteenth century, schooling became free and mandatory in France. Since then, politicians have often considered the teaching of history as key to the construction of French national identity. Even today, some argue that the role of school is to equip children with a national narrative. French historians have questioned and resisted this instrumentalization, denouncing oversimplifications and ideological distortions. They also acknowledge that some biases have pervaded French history.
Through readings of historical novels, biographies, essays, and graphic novels as well as selected film and documentary viewings, this course will explore some of these national narratives and the way French historians, philosophers, and artists have participated in the construction of a French national identity.
The course will focus on France and its colonies since the 1870's and the Third Republic. Preliminary knowledge of the period is not required for this class. The final project will be a re-telling of a French historical event through students' preferred medium (video, graphic novel, essay, or podcast). The assignments during the semester will help students accumulate material and hone their skills toward this goal. |
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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: (ARHA)(COL)(FRST-MN)(FRST)(RMST) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Material:
- texts by historians Michel de Certeau, Antoine Prost, Suzanne Citron, Jules Michelet, and others,
- fictions by Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Anatole France, Assia Djebar, and others,
- graphic novels by Tardi, Marcelino Truong, and others,
- movies such as Indigènes and 120 battements par minute, and others.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Students will participate actively in class discussions and maintain a critical journal (20%). There will be an in-class presentation (20%) and two 5-page critical essays during the semester (2x20%). These assignments will help students create one final project (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 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 may take this course CR/U. All others must take it for a letter grade. Students who are not admitted to the course through pre-registration are strongly encouraged to submit an enrollment request and attend the first class. |
| Instructor(s): Ponsavady,Stéphanie Times: .M.W... 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: FISK314; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 18 | | SR major: 10 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 2 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 0 | JR non-major: 0 | SO: 2 | FR: 2 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 3 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 1 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 2 |
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