Department of French and Italian

Prerequisite: F250, F265, equivalent or consent of department.

This course proposes an introduction to French and Francophone studies through the figure of the femme fatale. We will read, listen to, observe, and interpret these dangerous women as they are depicted both in literary texts and in adaptations to other media (film, opera, popular music, graphic novels, and the arts). We will study classic works like Le Mariage de Figaro, Carmen, Salomé, and La Bohème that explore love, desire, and jealousy, as well as religion, the status of women, the critique of social inequalities, and political conflict. Who is the femme fatale? What is the nature of her danger? For whom is she dangerous, and why?

COLL (CASE) A&H Breadth of Inquiry credit

• A&H
• What are CASE requirements?