READING FOR FUN
(Extended time on Tuesday is for films (once a month. If you need to leave at 4:05, you may see the film, Lilley Library).
This course is intended to make reading French almost as easy as slipping into a lake and floating. The books are short, but not simple French; they are well-written by well-known authors. While reading in this course, there is no use in worrying about symbolic meaning or being smart about historical and psychological connections (which may happen naturally). We can talk about anything we want to, concerning the books. Here are some of the possible books we'll read, hinting of subjects that will come up , chosen from today with a dip into the 19th and mid-20th century .
We'll take on the short versions of the major blockbusters of French culture: either Le comte de Monte Cristo (and film) or Les miserables (and film).
Pagnol's Le chateau de ma mere (and film) recounts his childhood in southern France.
On the contemporary side, we may read Ashini about a Canadian native-American who is the last survivor of his people and holds to his traditional beliefs.
The easiest book to read is a famous Moroccan writer's Racisme explique a ma fille, but it should promote interesting discussion.
We may try a detective novella by the very popular writer, Pennac. (I'm still trying to find a good film scenario from a recent film.)
We will strike our own reading pace, and all students, first and second-year, with an equivalence of FR 76, are welcome.
We will write some short reactions to our reading, but we can also do simulations, make up other endings, etc. I expect active participation from the class (accent and grammar in class participation will not be judged.) Unselfconscious practice is better. |
