01:420:260 The Theater of France (in English)
Professor, Mary Shaw: maryshaw@rci.rutgers.edu / T, Th: 4:15-5:15 ; W. RAB 103 2-4
Teaching Assistants:
(cross-listed with 195:203:02 Comparative Lit. Western Masterworks course).
Description:
This course will examine some of the most important plays of the history of French theater
in English translation. The approach in class will combine close reading and the textual
analysis of each play with a wider effort at contextualizing the works within the historical
framework of French culture. Theoretical writings that have influenced French theater from Plato and Aristotle to Brecht and Artaud - will be presented, as will major
developments in production and staging practices from Molière’s time to our own.
The goals of the course are three-fold: first, to develop students’ critical and writing skills
through analysis of an important literary genre; second, to provide a cohesive introduction
to a central and complex, yet accessible, manifestation of French culture; and third, to
encourage a taste for creative, interdisciplinary modes of learning and investigation, since
theater demands by its nature to be realized through multiple means of interpretation.
The course will be conducted in English, and no previous experience with French
language or culture will be required. For the most part, classes will follow a lecture
format. However, to deepen students’ understanding both of French culture and of the
plays studied, we will meet in small groups twice during the semester to allow for direct
exposure to the original French texts - here issues of translation will be raised and
discussed. There will also be two class sessions that will function like theatrical
workshops. In the first, section leaders will engage students in short exercises focusing on
issues of performance and staging and the preparation and recitation of a few lines of text.
In the second, guest teacher Deborah Sugarman will introduce us to the art of pantomime.
Screenings and discussion of several filmed productions will also be included.
Tartuffe, Molière
Phèdre, Racine
The Game of Love and Chance, Marivaux
A Tempest, Césaire
Ubu King, Jarry
Waiting for Godot, Beckett
Attendance:
Regular attendance is required. Unexcused absences will be reflected in the final grade.
Grade composition:
Class participation
20%
components of this grade will include attendance, participation in class discussions and
workshops, and performance on brief reading quizzes
1st 3-page essay
20%
nd
2 5-page essay
25%
Final 7-page essay
35%
SYLLABUS
January 18-20
Introduction. Theories of Western Theater (Plato & Mimesis)
17th Century France: screening of Molière, Tartuffe (Acts I, II)*
January 25-27
17th-century Comedy (in verse): Molière’s Tartuffe./ Writing
Workshop I (writing essays on theater: scene analysis)
February 1-3
Tartuffe. Screening of Tartuffe (Acts III-V)*
February 8-10
Classical Tragedy (Aristotle’s Poetics) / Racine’s Phèdre
Screening of Phèdre*
February 15-17
Phèdre / Translation Workshop 1 (exposure to fragments of
French text)
February 22-24
18th-century Comedy (in prose); Marivaux’ The Game of Love
and Chance / Screening of Le Jeu de l’Amour et du Hasard*
1st paper due: 3-page scene analysis on Racine or
Molière
March 1-3
The Game of Love and Chance / Theater workshop I:
performing lines
March 8-10
Modern French Drama: The Romantic Revolution
Shakespeare in France screening of The Tempest*
and discussion of Aimé Césaire’s contemporary adaptation:
A Tempest
March 22-24
Naturalist & Symbolist Theater: Jarry’s King Ubu
March 29-31
Jarry’s King Ubu. Screening of Charlie Chaplin film*
Theater Wksp II. Pantomime, conducted by Deborah Sugarman
2nd essay due: 5-page paper on the theatrical representation
of an aspect of French culture (e.g. ideas about love or
politics) reflected in Marivaux. Césaire or Jarry)
April 5-7
20th-century theories of Theater: A. Artaud - texts & screenings*
April 12-14
B. Brecht – text & screenings*
April 19-21
Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot
Final essay proposal due: concise description and bibliography
for final 7-page comparative essay; this must treat at least two
plays but can focus on any theme or theatrical issue
April 26-28
Waiting for Godot, translation session II. Screening
May 2
Conclusion (Beckett’s self-translation or why did this great Irish
author choose to write in French?)
Break-down of Learning Goals for Assessment
In accordance with SAS learning goals in writing and communication and the arts and
humanities, students who complete this course will be able to:
1. communicate complex ideas effectively about French literature and theater in
English
2. analyze and interpret both dialogue and stage directions in dramatic texts
3. glean and synthesize both current and historical information and ideas relevant
to the development of theater, an important manifestation of French culture.
4. analyze and synthesize information coming from both dramatic texts and
filmed theatrical productions
5. perform independent secondary research appropriate to the study of French
theater and appropriately cite their sources.
6. gain initial exposure to both written and spoken French and perform simple
comparative linguistic exercises on French and English texts
The above-stated learning goals stated for this course will be assessed through the
following means:
A. Comparative evaluation through rubrics of 3 written assignments.
B. A survey evaluating the effects of the course’s exposure of students to French language
and culture.
Disability Services Statement
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey abides by the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments (ADAA) of 2008, and Sections 504 and
508 which mandate that reasonable accommodations be provided for qualified students with
disabilities and accessibility of online information. If you have a disability and may require some
type of instructional and/or examination
accommodation, please contact me early in the semester so that I can provide or facilitate in
providing accommodations you may need. If you have not already done so, you will need to
register with the Office of Disability Services, the designated office on campus to provide
services and administer exams with accommodations for students with disabilities. The Office of
Disability Services is located in the Kreeger Learning Center, 151 College Ave, Suite 123, phone
number 732-932-2848. I look forward to talking with you soon to learn how I may be helpful in
enhancing your academic success in this course.