Spring 2021

French 3306 – Masterpieces of French Literature
Professor: Dr. Valérie Masson, vmasson@txstate.edu

Description:
This course examines some masterpieces of 20th century French literature. Our reading of Marcel Pagnol’s La Gloire de mon Père (1957), L’Amant (1984) by Marguerite Duras, and Françoise Sagan’s Bonjour Tristesse (1954), will lead us to explore the thematic of writing the self. We will analyze the relation between the authors and their past, as well as define the limits between reflection and invention in their works. We will discuss particularly the freedom and transgression that these novels express through form, themes and the creation of a main character that is simultaneously self and other. Our study of these works will help us understand their influence on the genre of fictional autobiography, as well as the assertion of a female voice and identity for Duras and Sagan.  

French 3308 – French Translation I
Professor: Dr. Gyongyi Pisak, g_p55@txstate.edu

Description:
This course offers both a theoretical and a practical introduction to translation from French into English. You will learn about the basic terminology of translation, translation techniques, guidelines for the translation of literary and non-literary texts, translation tools and resources, computer-assisted translation programs, post-graduate programs in translation, as well as career opportunities. We will be doing lots of hands-on translation of a variety of authentic French texts and you will be learning a lot about both translation and the French language.

French 4341 – French Composition and Stylistics
Professor: Dr. Peter Golato, pgolato@txstate.edu

Description:
Students will incorporate their more advanced grammatical and syntactical skills with the study of style in the writing of compositions in French. Writing exercises will explore a variety of expository techniques from description, narration, dialogue, portraits, to the writing of letters.

French 4350A – French Poetic Realist Cinema
Professor: Dr. Carole Martin, cm25@txstate.edu

Description:
This course examines French cinema during the 1930s, the period during which the world agreed that French directors were the first to achieve a sophisticated technical and creative approach to sound cinema, still a relatively new addition to the film viewing experience. Poetic Realist films were vehicles that showcased the extraordinary talents of actors like Jean Gabin, Arletty, Michèle Morgan, and Michel Simon. Unfettered by controlling studios and reformist agendas, screenwriters like Charles Spaak and the poet Jacques Prévert and directors like Jean Renoir, Julien Duvivier, Marcel Carné, Jean Vigo, Jacques Feyder, and Jean Grémillon left their magical and indelible mark on cinematic history. Students will examine works in their historical and cultural context in order to understand how the history and culture of France shaped the aesthetic feel of the era’s films (the fog and the smoke).
*If you are in the Honors program, please register for this class through the Honors section HON 4350A. All others should register for FR 4350A.