French 370PL - Power/Lust in Pre-Rev. France

An examination of powerful female archetypes of 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Ambitious, influential women whose legends shaped the traditional cultural mindset of France's Ancien Regime and beyond. Using texts and visual elements (paintings, drawings, contemporary films), we will study how these iconic figures define the image of women in their times and in ours. Warriors, heretics, martyrs, schemers, nymphomaniacs, intellectuals, scientists. Do they constitute a stereotype of the quintessential French woman?

Prereq: 12 credits including two courses at the advanced level, or permission of department chair and instructor.