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FREN253
From Perfectibility to Sadism: Reason and Its Discontents
FREN253 FA
Section | Class Size | *Available | Times | POI | Prereq |
1 | 20 | 1 | Times: .T.T... 1:10PM-2:30PM; | No | No |
*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for
the Blue Add phase of registration. Some seats may be taken in previous
phases while others may be held out for subsequent phases of registration.
(Last Updated on Tue Aug 10 05:00:30 EDT 1999
)
To what extent was the Enlightenment universal? Who were the
dissenting voices in 18th-century French literature and
thought? What is the anti-Enlightenment? During the first
half of the semester, we will identify the basic tenets of
les Lumieres: the belief in humankind's perfectibility, the
certitude that knowledge leads to progress, and the
conviction that the human condition was somehow universal.
In the second half of this course, the fissures in such an
all-encompassing program will be cataloged, first by
examining how such optimistic notions contrast markedly with
discourses on race and the status of women in 18th-century
France. We will also read a series of writers who disavowed
Enlightenment philosophy by preaching debauchery and/or
nihilistic views of the human condition. This course will
also include a slide lecture of European views of Africa and
discussion of the Metropolitan Museum of Art film "The
Eighteenth-Century Woman."
MAJOR READINGS
L'ENCYCLOPEDIE (selections)
Buffon, L'HISTOIRE NATURELLE (selections)
Voltaire, ZADIG and selections from "Dictionnaire
Philosophique"
Beaumarchais, LE MARIAGE DE FIGARO
Retif de la Bretonne, LA PAYSANNE PERVERTIE
Diderot, LE NEVEU DE RAMEAU
Olympe de Gouges, LE DANGER DES PREJUGES and selections
from her "Pamphlets Revolutionnaires"
La Mettrie, "L'Homme Machine" (selections)
Sad, LA PHILOSOPHIE DANS LE BOUDOIR
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Two five page essays, final
take home essay.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
This course is
intended for students who have completed a French course
numbered 215 or higher, preferably 223 or 224.
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: Discussion Lecture
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Level: UG Credit: 1.00
Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA RLIT
Prerequisites:
None
- Section 01
- Curran, A
- Times: .T.T... 1:10PM- 2:30PM;
- Grading Mode: A/F
- Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 1, Jr: 1, So: 1, Fr: 1
- Major Preference Given
Last Updated on MAR-22-1999
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