116-024 Women & Representation in French Society

Formerly available as 116-230/330. Students who have completed 116-230 or 116-330 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

116-133 French I: Cultural Perspectives and 116-134 French I: Language in Context II or equivalent. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first-year European studies, see Prerequisites. Women's studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first-year women's studies, see Prerequisites.

This subject involves a critical analysis of the role of women in their relation to the production of creative and theoretical texts in French society. Examples include women as writers, social critics, and film directors and women as objects of representation. On completion of the subject students should be able to analyse a range of texts dealing with women, representation and gender relations in French society; and have developed a historical and critical understanding of the topic. This subject is taught in French and makes use of a range of internet materials.

A class paper of 1500 words subsequently written up, class participation, an essay of 1500 words and a final 1-hour test.

A Selection of texts compiled by the Department including works by: George Sand, Colette, Simone de Beauvoir, Hélène Cixous, Violette Leduc, Marguerite Duras and other contemporary writers and critics.

• C Laubier, The Condition of Women in France 1945 to the Present. Routledge, 1990.