writing about literature - University of Southern California

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Department of French & Italian
FALL 2009
Dr. Béatrice Mousli Bennett
Office : Leavey Library 302
email : [email protected]
Tel : (213) 740 3703
M-W, 2:00 – 3:20 pm, VKC 202
Office hours M & W, 10:00-11:00 am,
or by appointment
WRITING ABOUT LITERATURE
This course has for major objective to help the student to gain an understanding of French
literary works through close readings of representative texts. Being an introduction to
French literary history, this course is also an initiation to reading different genres (poetry,
theater, prose) and writing about them: the students will learn to be rigorous in their
writing, to organize a paper and will learn the necessary bases to go on with their French
literary and cultural studies.
Required Text
Shofer, Peter, Donald Rice and William Berg. Poèmes, Pièces et Prose – Introduction à
l’analyse des textes littéraires français. N.Y: Oxford University Press, 1973.
Course assignments and grading:
For each class, reading assignment.
4 “explication de texte” : 20% each
Your active oral participation is essential : 20% of your final grade
Presence and participation are essential in this course. No more than 3 unexcused
absences will be tolerated.
You must take all tests and return all compositions on the scheduled day. No late
assignments will be accepted. No make-up exams will be given.
Please note that students who need to request accommodations based on a disability are
required to register each semester with the Disability Services and Programs (STU 301,
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213- 740 0776). In addition, a letter of verification to the instructor from the Disability
Services Program is needed for the semester you are enrolled in this course.
Grading scale:
93-100 A
90-92 A87-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B-
77-79
73-76
70-72
67-69
63-66
C+
C
CD+
D
60-62
Dunder 60 F
Alternative track :
You can serve with a mini-team course in French with the Joint Educational
Program (JEP) and earned 5% of your grade as extra-credit.
Founded in 1972, JEP is one of the oldest and largest service-learning programs in the
country, offering students at the University of Southern California the unique opportunity
to combine academic coursework with experiences in the community surrounding the
campus. Each year, some 2000 students from over several courses receive academic
credit for their participation in JEP. In addition, about 400 students serve as non-credit
volunteers and share their time and special talents with their neighbors. JEP is also home
to the Trojan Health Volunteers, a program designed to serve pre-meds and health
educators, and USC ReadersPlus, an America Reads / America Counts work-study
affiliate.
SCHEDULE
This schedule is only indicative. In case of absence, you need to check with your
classmates what has been done in class and what is to be done for the next class.
August
24 Introduction to the class
26 Victor Hugo “Demain dès l’aube”
31Victor Hugo “A Villequier”
September
2 Verlaine “Chanson d’automne”
7 Labor day
9 Baudelaire “Spleen”
14 Baudelaire “Invitation au voyage”
16 Baudelaire ‘Correspondance”
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28 Rimbaud “le dormeur du val”
30 Rimbaud “La lettre du voyant”
October
5 President’s day
7 First assignment due: Commentaire du poème de Baudelaire “Parfum exotique”
Présentation de Molière
12 Molière : Tartuffe
14
19
21
26
28
November
2 Second assignment due
Flaubert, Un Coeur Simple
4
9
11
November 13th Last day to drop the class with a “W”
16
18 Third assignment due
23 Balzac “La Maison du chat qui pelote” – copies given by the professor
30
December
2 Last day of class
Final Paper due Friday December 11th, at 2:00 pm at the latest. To be dropped in
the French & Italian Department office.