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Academic Year 2000/2001

Paris and the Provinces: "Rat des Villes contre Rat des Champs?"
FREN 229 SP
Crosslistings:
FRST 230
Clusters:
HA Courses
Primary Focus

The relationship between Paris and the provinces has always been a stormy one. At various times, Parisians have perceived the provinces as either wild or idyllic but always as culturally and socially backward; more often than not the Provincials abided by the Parisian characterization. Today, even though decentralization prevails in France, the opposition between Paris and the provinces remains strong, as do various cliches attached to specific regions: among them the symbolic stature of Provence--a synonym for the Province for many; the curtness and snobbery of the Parisians and the myths surrounding regional culinary traditions. The purpose of the course is to identify and examine the Paris-province dichotomy from the mid 19th-century to the presen t from a historical, political and cultural perspective. Through the study of various essays, novels, cartoons and films, we will analyze some of the cliches surrounding Paris and France's main regions and discuss how current changes in France's populatio n are likely to affect this pattern in years to come.

MAJOR READINGS

Jocelyne George, PARIS-PROVINCE, DE LA REVOLUTION A LA MONDIALISATION
Marcel Pagnol, LA GLOIRE DE MON PERE
Honore de Balzac, SCENES DE LA VIE DE PROVINCE
Goscinny, Uderzo, ASTERIX CHEZ LES BRETONS
Other texts by Marcel Roncayolo, Peirre Nora, Patrick Modiano, Anne-Marie Thiesse, Emmanuel Leroy-Ladurie
Films:
Claude Berri, JEAN DE FLORETTE
Manuel Poirier, A LA CAMPAGNE
Collectif, PARIS VU PAR

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

2 short papers
2 oral presentations
1 final paper

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

FREN 229 is intended for students who have completed FREN 223 or FREN 224. Students who have not done so should consult with the professor before preregistering. Readings, written assignments and class discussions will be in French.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA RLAN    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: FREN215 Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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