FREN 041. Guerre et paix dans la littérature française

Through a study of the representations of war and peace in French literature from the 19th and 20th centuries, this course examines the evolving attitudes that intellectuals have held towards pacifist ideologies and violent conflicts, as well as the ethical and aesthetic influences that mass violence has had on their writings. The class will approach this topic from a variety of critical perspectives, including (1) studies of the emotional consequences of trauma, mourning, and shame, (2) a study of the interconnection of societal constructions of gender with representations of conflict and peace, and (3) a discussion of the rise of intellectuals in the face of injustice. Works covered will include testimonies, memoirs, fictional literature and popular culture, bringing together authors such as Balzac, Zola, Camus, Sartre, Duras, and Tardi. Taught in French.
Prerequisite: FREN 015 or instructor permission.
Humanities.
1 credit.
Eligible for PEAC, GSST
Fall 2025. Gueydan-Turek.
Catalog chapter: Modern Languages and Literatures: French and Francophone Studies
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/french-francophone-studies/academic-program

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