You will be exposed in this course to a variety of Francophone texts of different genres and levels of difficulty. By the end of the course, in addition to having been introduced to various forms of literature in French, it is expected that you will:

  • have increased your proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in French (as well as having increased your comfort level with the interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication in French);

  • have a good foundation for critically reading and writing literary language in French; and

  • be able both in oral and written form to ask pertinent questions, to recognize and define problems, to identify the arguments on all sides of an issue, to search for and use relevant data, and to arrive at carefully reasoned judgments.

As a result of reading, analyzing, interpreting, and comparing the assigned texts, and in keeping with Cal Poly's Learning Objectives, successful students should better be able to:

  • think critically and creatively; communicate effectively in French (both orally and in written form);

  • work productively as individuals and in groups; use their knowledge and skills to make a positive contribution to society; and

  • make reasoned decisions based on an understanding of ethics and a respect for diversity.

Successful students should have made progress in:

  • communicating effectively through speaking, listening, reading, and writing in authentic situations in French;

  • developing communicative and intercultural competency in order to work productively both as individuals and in collaboration with others;

  • gaining perspective on cultural and historical achievements in French-speaking cultures as well as on relevant issues of diversity;

  • cultivating awareness of ethical and professional perspectives that reflect linguistic and cultural heritage;

  • thinking critically and creatively using French and negotiating meaning between French and English; and

  • developing the ability to evaluate ways in which language and culture provide perspective on the larger world of the arts, science, and technology.

You are required to attend each class, the only exceptions being:

  • illness with a doctor's statement;

  • serious illness or death of close relatives;

  • active participation in official university events;

  • religious holidays; and

  • NCAA athletic competitions.

Cheating and/or plagiarism as well as the use of cellphones in class for texting or any purposes other than to consult an online dictionary will not be tolerated. As per California Education Code Section 78907, neither electronic listening nor recording devices should be used without the prior consent of the instructor.

Required Text


Schofer, Peter & Rice, Donald B. Autour de la littérature: Ecriture et lecture aux cours moyens de français (6th edition). Note that a cheaper option might be to purchase the 5th edition (which includes most of the texts we will study).


Grade Distribution

  • Active Participation (10%)

  • Assignments (20%)

  • Exams (40%)

  • Papers (30%)

  • Grading Rubric

Of Potential Interest


Working Schedule (subject to change)

21 September: "Le Message" (Jacques Prévert)

23 September: "Mélusine" (Jean d'Arras)

28 September: "Mon Oncle Jules" (Guy de Maupassant); "Reading, Speaking, and Learning About Mon Oncle Jules" (Adler); H aspiré

30 September: "Le Pagne noir" (Bernard Dadié)

5 October: "Acte sans paroles I" (Samuel Beckett); Scènes d'écran; "Acte sans paroles II"; Samuel Beckett et le théâtre de l'absurde

7 October: "Demain, dès l’aube" (Victor Hugo); Versification; Lecture analytique; A Villequier

12 October: "Le Laüstic" (Marie de France); The Lays and Fables of Marie de France (British Library)

14 October: "L'Autre Femme" (Gabrielle-Sidonie Colette); Paper 1 due at 12:10 p.m.

19 October: "Le Maître" (Eugène Ionesco); L'absurde: Eugène Ionesco; Entretien avec Ionesco (Radio Canada); Le théâtre de l'absurde

21 October: "Leçon d’histoire" (Maryse Condé)

23 October: Exam 1 due at 11:59 p.m. (via Canvas)

26 October: "L'Os" (Birago Diop)

28 October: "L'Echafaudage" (Linda Lê); Conversation avec Linda Lê; Viet Nâm: histoire

2 November: "Le Grand Michu" (Emile Zola); Coup d'État de Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte; Le naturalisme

4 November: "Le Dormeur du val" (Arthur Rimbaud); Commentaire de texte; American Association of Teachers of French National French Week Trivia Contest

9 November: "Le Retour de Mamzelle Annette" (Joseph Zobel)

16 November: "La Vallée Houdou" (Gabrielle Roy); Doukhobors; Le destin exceptionnel de Gabrielle Roy

18 November: Presentation on Opportunities in France (11-noon); "Il n'y a pas d'exil" (Assia Djebar)

30 November: "La Main" (Gabrielle-Sidonie Colette)

2 December: "La Maison face à la mer" (Marie-Célie Agnant); Tonton Macoute

4 December: Exam 2 due at 11:59 p.m. (as PDF attachment submitted via Canvas and via email)

9 December: Paper 2 due at 4 p.m. (as PDF attachment to email)