Fall 2006

F C 349 • The Enlightenment

Course Description

This course will present an introduction to the French Enlightenment. Readings -- in English -- will touch upon the major issues of the day. We will peruse some of the most famous books of the period, and all them will be fun. Students will be encouraged to pursue their own particular interests. There will be field trips, a movie or two if possible (based on 18th C. materials), examination of rare books and manuscripts, and more. Students will also attend on-campus exhibits.

Grading Policy

Grade computation: 2 tests (25 and 35%), oral presentation (15%), paper (15%), participation (10%)

Texts

Readings will include: Diderot, The Nun
Laclos, Dangerous liaisons
Sade (tba),
Rousseau, The Village Sooth-sayer
Ben Franklin, Autobiography
Parny / Ravel, Songs from Madagascar
Beaumarchais, The Barber of Seville
various texts from the French Revolution

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