FR159-French Civilization: From Caesar to Sarkozy
Block I & II: Alistaire Tallent, FR159, French Civilization: From Caesar
to Sarkozy
Meets Critical Perspectives: West in Time (2 units).
French Civilization: From Charlemagne to Chirac
France is one of America’s oldest allies, but how much do we know about
who the French are and how they got that way? Why is it acceptable to bring
a dog to a Parisian restaurant, but illegal to wear a headscarf in a school?
How could a country that glorifies Joan of Arc deny women the right to vote
until 1945? How can a people who invented the phrase bon vivant still produce
such dark and cynical poetry and films?
These and many other cultural questions form the basis for this course, which
will explore the historical and cultural development of the French hexagon
from Charlemagne’s efforts to repel the Muslim invaders and unite the
disparate tribes of France (and much of Europe) under his rule, to modern
conflicts between the descendants of North African immigrants and members
of the ultra-nationalistic Front National. Through a study of historical events
and documents we will consider the role of race, religion and gender in the
development and the metamorphosis of a French national identity—that
is, how the French have come to see themselves. In addition, since works of
artistic and creative expression often best present the feelings, desires
and anxieties of a people and a time, we will also explore the interplay between
artistic expression and historical context. Thus, we will examine significant
examples of French literature (in English translation) such as the poetry
of Rimbaud and the fiction of Camus, works of French painters like David and
Monet, architecture from the Gothic cathedrals to the new national library,
music such as the bloody and violent national anthem, La Marseillaise, and
finally films, from cinéastes such as Renoir, Pagnol and Godard. Students
will explore the many ways these works both reflected and influenced public
reactions to and interpretations of historical events.
The course will be organized chronologically, with Block I covering the period
from the fall of the Roman Empire to the French Revolution of 1789, and Block
II looking at France from Napoleon to the present day. Students will do close
readings of literary and historical texts, write critical essays (based on
their own insights and, later, on scholarly research), participate in class
discussions, and give group presentations to the class.
The goal of this course is not only to understand the history and culture
of an American ally and a major world power, but also to appreciate the complexities
of one’s own national identity (or identities) and the connections between
any work of art and its historical context.
A two-block course with a single instructor; one grade will be given for the
course as a whole.