A study of the socio-political role of women in France from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries through an examination of their representation in medieval literary texts written by both sexes as well as in several contemporary films. Historical figures such as Eleanor of Aquitaine (12th c.) and Joan of Arc (15th c.), literary authors such as Marie de France (12th c.), Christine de Pizan (15th c.) and fictional characters such as the hen-pecked husband in La Farce du Cuvier will serve as points of reference in discussions about the concepts of courtly love and medieval misogyny and about women’s association with the Church, the French Court, and the rising middle class.

Required work: class participation, midterm exam, final exam and two papers totaling 8-10 pages.

Courses taught in French. Satisfies the Writing Requirement and area G (Literature) of the General Education Program.