116-287 Passions, powers, liberties: the culture of classical and enlightenment France

Note

Available as 116-387 at 3rd-year level.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

116-115 or equivalent.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

Through the analysis of different artistic genres and diverse philosophical texts, this subject will examine the aesthetic, ethical and philosophical tensions that helped shape France as a major cultural power. It will use a contemporary methodological framework to reflect on such notions as classicism and enlightenment, and to explore the value of individual works, both in their historical context and in terms of their relevance today. Works of theatre, poetry, fiction and philosophy will be selected from a number of the following authors: Molière, Racine, Mme de Sévigné, Mme de la Fayette, La Fontaine, La Rochefoucauld, La Bruyère, Pascal, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, Beaumarchais. The subject will be taught in French.

Assessment

One class paper subsequently written up (2000 words) - 40%; one essay (3000 words) in French - 60%.

Prescribed Texts

All required reading will be available in booklet form from the French section.