Department of French and Italian

Materialities in French Classical Theater

This graduate seminar examines the material culture of early modern (16th-18th centuries) French/Francophone dramatic works and the role materiality plays in the way these art objects communicate (their mediality). We will study dramatic works produced in the French courts, the city of Paris, and the colonies, such as plays written by authors from Saint Domingue (Haiti). Students will read critical “material” approaches from literary theory, theater history, and performance studies to help anchor their primary source readings. Grades will be based on a scaffolded final paper and presentation (abstract (5%), outline (10%), draft (20%), presentation (25%), final paper (40%)). Students must have proficient reading knowledge in French.

Image attribution: Myrabella / Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 3.0]