We will study four novels, all of them published in French and considered influential, if not important in their own ways (from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries): Madame Bovary, L'Etranger, Bonjour Tristesse, and Chanson Douce. By the end of the course, students will have had ample opportunities to engage in the interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication. Successful students will have demonstrated the following skills:
Communicative & Cognitive
Effectively communicate by analysing how authors use language
Develop and articulate critical arguments, using textual evidence to support interpretations
Apply active listening and discussion skills during literary conversations and debates
Social-Emotional & Interpersonal
Identify and explain characters’ perspectives, showing an ability to recognise emotions, motivations, and viewpoints different from their own
Demonstrate empathy and emotional insight when reflecting on relationships, conflicts, and moral choices within texts
Collaborate constructively in group tasks, showing respect for diverse interpretations
Analytical & Problem-Solving
Interpret themes, symbols, and patterns within a text to draw deeper conclusions about meaning
Evaluate credibility, bias, and purpose in both literary and non-literary texts, applying these skills to real-world media
Construct evidence-based analyses, using reasoning to solve interpretive problems
Cultural & Historical Understanding
Explain how literature reflects historical events, cultural contexts, and societal values
Compare perspectives across time periods or cultures, demonstrating an understanding of how context shapes experience
Personal Growth & Engagement
Reflect on personal values, beliefs, and experiences in response to the issues and dilemmas presented in literature
Make connections between texts and real-life situations, showing growth in self-awareness
Engage with literature for enjoyment, selecting genres or authors that match their interests and articulating what they find meaningful or inspiring
Required Texts
FLAUBERT, Gustave. Madame Bovary
CAMUS, Albert. L'Etranger
SAGAN, Françoise. Bonjour Tristesse
SLIMANE, Leïla. Chanson douce
Recommended Resources
Madame Bovary, un roman qui opère une “révolution dans les lettres”
80 ans de "L'Etranger" d'Albert Camus
"Bonjour tristesse" de Françoise Sagan, à découvrir avec vos oreilles
Leïla Slimani : "Dans "Chanson douce", je voulais montrer que l'espace domestique est politique"
Grade Breakdown
Written exams: 40%
Leading a Class Discussion: 10%
Log of Oral Participation in Class: 10%
Final Oral Report: 10%
Written Assignments (WA): 30%
Please reach out to me first and directly during my office hours with suggestions and/or concerns. If you are registered with the Disability Resource Center, please plan on meeting with me in person during my office hours no later than by the end of the first week of class to discuss how I might best accommodate your need/s.
Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated neither will the use of translation software . Please follow my policy regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence. Per California Education Code Section 78907, neither electronic listening nor recording devices should be used without prior written consent of the instructor.
In order to be successful in this class, students should make it a priority, put away their cellphones, and actively participate in person in each class session. They should meet with me to review assignments or any materials with which they might be struggling. Help is also available in the World Languages Lab.
Schedule
6 January: L'Etranger (I: 1-2); L'Etranger d'Albert Camus
8 January:: L'Etranger (I: 3-6); WA 1 due
13 January:: L'Etranger (II: 1-3)
15 January:: L'Etranger (II: 4-5); Préface à l’édition universitaire américaine; New film adaptation of Camus’s L’Étranger opens old colonial wounds; Comment François Ozon a trahi Albert Camus; WA 2 due
22 January: Madame Bovary (Première partie); Madame Bovary de Gustave Flaubert; WA 3 due
27 January: Madame Bovary (Deuxième partie)
29 January: Madame Bovary (Deuxième partie); WA 4 due
3 February: Madame Bovary (Troisième partie)
5 February: Madame Bovary (Troisième partie); WA 5 due
10 February: Examen 1
12 February: Bonjour Tristesse; WA 6 due; Bonjour tristesse de Françoise Sagan
17 February: Bonjour Tristesse
19 February: Bonjour Tristesse; WA 7 due
24 February: Bonjour Tristesse
26 February: Chanson douce; WA 8 due; Chanson douce de Leïla Slimane
3 March: Chanson douce
5 March: Chanson douce; WA 9 due
10 March: Chanson douce
12 March: Examen 2; WA 10 due
13 March: Log of Oral Participation due
19 March: Final Oral Report due
[Updated 15 January 2026,]