French 370 - Sem: Love for Sale

'This course will explore the figure of the prostitute, and the theme of prostitution, primarily in French novels of the nineteenth century. We will examine the ways in which the figure of the prostitute serves as a reflection of broader social and literary questions: female sexuality as represented by male authors, the link(s) between sex and money, the question of realism in narrative fiction, et al. In addition to literary texts, we will study secondary sources that place French prostitution in its historical and cultural context. Some films and an opera or two will be included as well.'

Prereq: 12 credits including two courses at the advanced level