FRE 3110 - French Legacies: Symbols, Cultures, and Identities I

Credits: 3

Prerequisite(s): FRE 3010 or permission of instructor

Description: In this course, students engage in a historical and cultural survey of France from its prehistoric origins through the reign of Louis XIV. Students explore major developments that shaped French identity, from Paleolithic art and Celtic migrations to Romanization, Christianization, and the shaping of a medieval society of hierarchical orders. Key moments such as the Carolingian Renaissance, the rise of Gothic architecture, the Hundred Years’ War, and the Renaissance humanist movement are studied through visual culture, literature, and foundational texts. Special emphasis is placed on the evolution of the French language, key historical myths, and France’s early global ambitions. Through a variety of primary sources, students gain insight into the artistic, political, religious, and intellectual currents that defined early France.