French
Ann Delehanty
Early modern prose, classical theater, medieval literature, philosophy and literature, historiography.
Hugh Hochman
Twentieth-century French poetry and prose, theories of the lyric, critical theory, Francophone literature.
Luc Monnin
Eighteenth-century French literature and culture, history and theory of language, history of ideas, computer theory, visual arts.
William Ray
French narrative from the seventeenth century to the present, cultural theory, theories of reading, aesthetic theory. On leave 2005-06.
Catherine Witt
Nineteenth-century literature, art and history, contemporary poetry, theater, cinema.
The members of the French department cover a wide range of literary
interests and critical attitudes. The course offerings, organized
mostly by genre, cover all important periods and movements in
French literature.
In addition to the general course offerings, the department offers
seminars on special topics and can arrange independent studies.
Recent seminar topics have included contemporary French narrative,
French feminist theory, Surrealism in literature and the other
arts, Rousseau, Balzac, and Flaubert.
Most classes range in size from 10 to 15 students and are conducted
primarily in French.
Prerequisites
Any student wishing to enroll in a French course at any level and
who has not studied French previously at Reed College must take the
placement examination given every year during orientation week.
Entering students who place out of second-year language (French
210) will be advised to enroll in French 320 or another 300-level
course with consent of the instructor.
For Majors
Students who wish to major in French and who have not had prior
experience in the language can do so by completing French 110 and
210 during their first two years at Reed, or elsewhere. During
their last two years they must complete all the course requirements
for the major listed below.
For Non-Majors
Students wishing to fulfill the Division of Literature and
Languages requirement for third-year study in a foreign literature
can do so by showing proficiency on the French 210 level and then
taking any 300-level courses, except French 320.
French House
The French House on campus functions not only as a residence hall,
but also as the center for a variety of extracurricular activities,
including film evenings and social and cultural events, as well as
gatherings with students and faculty from the entire Reed College
community.
Language Scholar
The language scholar from France, a yearly appointment, resides in
the French House and provides contact with a native speaker; the
scholar assists the department in academic and cultural
matters.
Study Abroad
The French department encourages its majors to spend some time
abroad, and to that end it has instituted exchange programs in
France with the Université de Rennes II and several campuses of the
Université de Paris. The work a student completes abroad in these
approved programs is credited toward the Reed degree, and students
on financial aid may apply their aid toward the costs.
Requirements for the Major
1. A minimum of six units in literature at the 300 and 400 level,
at least two of which must be prior to the nineteenth
century.
2. Ability to write French at the equivalent of French 320.
3. French 470.
Recommended but not required:
1. French 320 is strongly advised.
2. Latin 110, if possible.
3. Humanities 210 and/or 220.
