FRENCH 209 Studies in Literature
Topic 2006-07:  Contemporary Theatre & Contemporary Issues

Reading and analysis of plays performed in France at the end of the 20^th or beginning of the 21^st century. Introduction to the techniques of reading dramatic works. Emphasis on oral discussion of the representation of contemporary issues in various plays. . Prerequisite: 202 or 203, an SAT II score of 650-680, an equivalent departmental placement score, or an AP score of 4

This course is an introduction to the reading of drama in French. Students will be introduced to the nature of writing plays, to the constraints imposed by performances and also to the techniques used by playwrights to captivate and seduce an audience. One of the purposes of the course will be to understand why the plays studied have attracted French and international audiences. Students will also discuss the representation of contemporary society and contemporary issues in these plays and how playwrights encourage active questioning by the audience.

Some of the issues raised in the course are:

• The concept of “friendship” in a world dominated by money in Art.
• The progress of science and its effects on humanity in René de Obaldia’s Monsieur Klebs et Rozalie.
• Racism and prejudice in Marie Ndiaye’s Papa doit manger.
• Teaching and violence in school in Prof by Jean-Pierre Dopagne.
• The discovery of the other, life and violence in jail in Dis à ma fille que je pars en voyage by Denise Chalem, in which two women from different social classes meet in jail.
• “Psychoanalysis and God” in Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s Le Visiteur, a representation of an improbable meeting of Freud, a Nazi, and a character named “L’Inconnu” (The Unknown).  
• The representation of September 11^th in Michel Vinaver’s play, 11 septembre 2001.

 Short papers will be assigned through the semester. Intensive participation in class discussion is expected. There will be one short final project.

 Reading List:

Art, Yasmina Reza

Le Visiteur, Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Monsieur Klebs et Rozalie, René de Obaldia

Prof, Jean Pierre-Dopagne

Dis à ma fille que je pars en voyage, Denise Chalem

Papa doit manger, Marie Ndiaye

11 septembre 2001, Michel Vinaver