This course is designed to fulfill the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement. The primary goal of this course is to develop students' reading and writing skills; a series of assignments will allow them to formulate observations made in class discussions into coherent argumentative essays. Emphasis will be placed on the refinement of effective sentence, paragraph, and thesis formation, keeping in mind the notion of writing as a process. Other goals in this course are a familiarization with French literature and the specific questions that are relevant to this field. In addition, students will be introduced to different methods of literary and linguistic analysis in their nonliterary readings.

This course will explore the themes of desire, selfhood, and disillusionment across a range of European literature from the late 18th to the early 20th century. We will read texts that examine the power of desire, the allure of idealized love, the gap between fantasy and reality, and the potentially destructive consequences these forces have on the individual’s psyche. In addition to weekly readings and class discussion, this course will emphasize analytical writing as a tool for engaging deeply with literature. Guiding questions will include: How does desire shape the self? How do social structures—including gender roles, class position, and cultural norms—influence the pursuit of personal fulfillment? What happens when the idealized image collapses under the weight of reality? And what does it mean to confront and reckon with this disillusionment? As we read these narratives, we will develop insight into the historical, social, and literary contexts in which they were written. Through core texts such as Flaubert’s Madame Bovary and selections of Baudelaire’s poetry, we will explore the complex nature of human longing and its discontents. Baudelaire’s poems will be read together in class, allowing students to engage with them without requiring substantial outside preparation.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills