Introduction to French Novel (French 33337) - Fall 2001

Webpage: http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rberrong/fr33337

Instructor: Richard Berrong
Office: 307-E Satterfield
Office hours: 2:00-3:45 MWF
Office phone: 672-1820
e-mail: rberrong@kent.edu

Texts

Mme de La Fayette, La princesse de Clèves, ed. Jean Mesnard (Paris: GF Flammarion, 1980) ISBN 2-08-070757-4

The story of a young woman convinced by her family to marry one man, only to have another, very attractive man begin to pursue her. How will she deal with this? Will she fall in love with him? Will she give in to him? Remember, divorce did not exist for Catholics in 16th century France.

Prévost, Manon Lescaut, ed. Catherine Langle (Paris: Librairie générale française, 1995) ISBN 2-253-00984-9

The story of a young woman who is about to be sent to a convent (to keep her out of trouble) by her family, only to meet an attractive but poor young man who wants her to run off with him. How does she deal with this? What will happen when his father intervenes?

Balzac, Eugénie Grandet, ed Pierre Citron (Paris: Flammarion, 1964) ISBN 2-08-070003-0

The story of a young woman who lives at home with her repressive father, only to have an attractive young man, her cousin, show up one day for a visit. How will she deal with this? Does the cousin really want her for herself, or does her father's money have something to do with his attentions?

Laye: L'enfant noir (Paris: Plon, 1953) ISBN 2-266-00009-8

One of Black Africa's most distinguished writers constructs a novel out of his memories of his childhood and adolescence. The struggle between his devotion to his parents and his fascination with French culture and the advancement that it offered. How can he retain his own culture if he goes off to France for the education he needs to advance in a culture that also fascinates him?

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory. Students are allowed only three unexcused absences. Thereafter, for every unexcused absence, a student's final grade will be lowered at the instructor's discretion. Students are responsible for knowing in advance what qualifies as an excused absence and must provide proof when they return that their absence met university policy if they want it to be regarded as excused. The professor will NOT ask for the proof; the student must provide it on his/her own initiative. All absences for which such proof is not supplied will be marked as unexcused. University policy on absences can be found in the KSU Phone Directory, Digest of Rules and Regulations, section 3342-3-06, "Class Attendance and Class Absence." Note especially section B. 3. c.: "Students shall be responsible for all material covered in class during their absence. Students are responsible for completing any makeup work resulting from their absence. In no case is an excuse from class to be interpreted as a release from class responsability." This means that a student who has been absent, even for an excused absence, must hand in whatever assignments were due during his/her absence promptly after his/her return. Since all assignments are specified in this syllabus, students are responsible for knowing what was due during their absence.

Grading

Mid-term exam: 20%
Final exam: 30%
Each paper assignment: 25%

Each paper should be 4-6 pages in length, typed and double-spaced. They will be judged on the interest and originality of the argument (do not simply restate something that the instructor has already presented in class), the appropriate use of the primary text to support the points of the argument, the clarity of the organization, and the quality of the French. In short, the points that were taught in French Composition.

This is a writing intensive class. As a result, students not happy with the grade they receive on the first version of either paper have the right to rewrite it and submit a second version, by the deadline specified on the syllabus. If a student rewrites a paper, he/she will receive the average of the grades on the two versions submitted as the grade for that paper assignment. A student happy with the grade he/she receives on the first version of a paper does not have to submit a rewrite. On the other hand, a student who does not submit a paper by the date of the first version may still submit a paper by the date of the second version; he/she will then simply receive the grade for the second paper as the grade for the assignment, with no chance to rewrite it for a better grade.

Students may receive no outside help with any written or oral work submitted for a grade in this class. This means that they may not ask others to go over their papers or oral presentation.

No assignment will be accepted late without a university-approved excuse. Students not present for the tests and final at their scheduled times cannot request a make-up unless they have a documented excused absence.

Regular participation in class discussions of the literature being read is mandatory. A student who fails to participate regularly will have his/her grade reduced significantly, at the professor's discretion.

Graduating Seniors

Graduating seniors who are department majors are expected to take an Outcomes Assessment Examination near the end of the semester.

Students with disabilities

In accordance with University policy, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal access in this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required. Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of Student Disability Servides (SDS) in the Michael Schwartz Student Services Center (672-3391).

Respectful Student Conduct

The Department of Modern and Classical Language Studies follows University regulations regarding student behavior in the classroom. It is expected that each student will be respectful to the instructor as well as to follow classmates.
Use of profanity, rudeness toward fellow students or the instructor, angry outbursts, refusal to participate in classroom activities, repeated tardiness, and leaving the classroom prior to class dismissal are just some examples of disruptive behavior. The instructor will ask the disruptive student to cease and desist and will inform the student of possible suspension and/or dismissal from the class.
Guidelines pertaining to class disruptions are outlined in the Digest of Rules and Regulations to be found in the Kent State University Telephone Directory.

Calendar

(The Professor reserves the right to make alterations.)

27.8: Introduction: the French novel from its origins to through the 17th century
29.8: La princesse de Clèves: 69-88
31.8: La princesse de Clèves: 88-107
3.9: Labor Day: no class
5.9: La princesse de Clèves: 107-126
7.9: La princesse de Clèves: 126-145
10.9: La princesse de Clèves: 145-166
12.9: La princesse de Clèves: 166-187
14.9: La princesse de Clèves: 187-205
17.9: La princesse de Clèves: 205-224
19.9: La princesse de Clèves: 224-239
21.9: The French novel in the 18th century; Manon Lescaut: 55-76
24.9: Manon Lescaut: 76-99
26.9: Manon Lescaut: 99-120
28.9: Manon Lescaut: 120-141
1.10: Manon Lescaut: 141-161
3.10: Manon Lescaut: 163-183
5.10: Manon Lescaut: 183-204
8.10: Manon Lescaut: 204-225
10.10: Manon Lescaut: 225-243
12:10: review for mid-term
15.10: Mid-term
17.10: The French novel in the 19th century; Eugénie Grandet: 27-47
19.10: Eugénie Grandet: 47-69, 1st version of first paper due
22.10: Eugénie Grandet: 69-91
24.10: Eugénie Grandet: 91-111
26.10: Eugénie Grandet: 111-135
29.10 Eugénie Grandet: 135-156, 2nd version of first paper due (optional)
31.10: Eugénie Grandet: 156-176
2.11: Eugénie Grandet: 176-198
5.11: Eugénie Grandet: 198-214
7.11: The French novel in the 20th century
9.11: L'enfant noir: I-II
12:11: Veterans' Day: no class
14.11: L'enfant noir: III-IV
16.11: L'enfant noir: V
19.11: L'enfant noir: VI-VII
21-23.11: Thanksgiving: no class
26.11: L'enfant noir: VIII
28.11: L'enfant noir: IX, 1st version of second paper due
30.11: L'enfant noir: X
3.12: L'enfant noir: XI
5.12: L'enfant noir: XII
7.12: review for final exam; 2nd version of second paper due (optional)
12.12: Final exam: 10:15-12:30