Lake Superior State University

FR 355 Survey of French Literature I

Fall 2003

Course Description:

A chronological study of French literature from its origin to the 17^th century. Emphasis on the development and continuity of ideas and their evaluation within the political, social, and religious framework of the time, their influence on the evolution of language and literature. Text analysis and discussion.

Objectives:

Discovery, understanding, and appreciation of great French literary works within a context of cultural history.

Texts:

Suzanne Ravisé, Tableaux culturels de la France, 3^rd edition, National Textboook Company, Lincolnwood, IL, 1995.

Anthologie de la Littérature française, XIe – XVIe siècles, Larousse, Paris, 1994.

Anthologie de la Littérature française, XVIIe siècle, Larousse, Paris, 1994.

Methodology:

1. Attendance: The course being conducted exclusively in French, students are strongly encouraged to attend classes as regularly as possible. A significant percentage of their final grade will be based on attendance and active participation to class discussions

2. Reading: Students are required to be punctual with their reading assignments and the completion of their questionnaires.

3. Mini-presentations and note-taking: Students will be assigned in turn an author from the Anthology, and required to make a brief, anecdotal type of presentation (no longer than 5 minutes), presenting the author and reading to the class a short excerpt from his/her work. The rest of the class will take note of what is said and these notes will be collected at the end of the session.

4. Text analysis: Selective excerpts from a significant numbers of literary works will be studied in class with individual presentations followed by class discussion. These presentations, amplified through class discussion, will be expanded and written as a formal paper.

5. Cultural appreciation: Long-feature movies presenting the evolution of French institutions and society are scheduled for each century.

6. Final examination: It will consist in a written text analysis.

Evaluation:

Attendance and participation 20%

Questionnaires 15%

Mini-presentations and notes 15%

Text analysis and final paper 25%

Cultural appreciation (films) 15%

Final examination 10%

Disability Services and Accommodation for Students:

In compliance with Lake Superior State University policy and equal access laws, disability-related accommodations or services are available. Students who desire such services are to meet with the professor in a timely manner, preferably the first week of class, to discuss their disability-related needs. Students will not receive services until they register with the Resource Center for Students with Disabilities (RCSD). Proper registration will enable the RCSD to verify the disability and determine reasonable academic accommodations. RCSD is located in South Hall Office 206. The telephone number is (906) 635-2454.

Academic Misconduct:

Scholastic misconduct may be cause for a failing grade, and information may be placed about the incident in the student’s permanent file in the Office of Academic Affairs. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on assignments or examinations, plagiarizing, misrepresenting work, or interfering with someone else’s work.

Instructor: Dr. Marcel E. Pichot

Office: Library 318

Hours: Wednesdays 9-12 then 1:00-2:00

Telephone: (906) 635-2118

E-mail: mpichot@lssu.edu