Fall 2008
HUMA 103: Liberty and Terror: The French Revolution
Dr. Joshua D. Gonsalves
Assistant Professor
English Dept., Rice University
Herring Hall, Room 231
Course Description:
There can be no denying the effect and importance of the French Revolution, which toppled an ancient monarchy and sent shockwaves throughout the world. This course will be devoted to interpreting the historical sources, contexts, and problems of this watershed moment in all their richness and complexity. Having come to an understanding of the key events and issues of the revolution, we will investigate the interpretative problems posed by political, philosophical, literary, and visual documents—including poetry and memoirs, art and architecture—in regard to such thematic topics as the pre-revolutionary status quo, the transformation of political liberty into repressive terror, the rise of Napoleon, worldwide warfare, and ideological struggle. The course will focus on historical contexts such as the influence of the Enlightenment; the emergence of citizenship and human rights; the development of social spectacles and the public sphere; the Reign of Terror and the regression to Tyranny; emancipationist discourses (the abolition of slavery, colonial revolt, radical feminisms); and the contradictory figure of Napoleon. We will consider, finally, how the Revolution has come to be viewed, both within and without France, considering its many aftershocks and reverberations up until the present day.
Course Requirements:
This class is meant to introduce you to the means of study and research in the Humanities. Your presence and participation in the class, therefore, are the primary elements in determining your grade. Attendance and participation will count for 25% of your final grade. You should come to each session prepared with questions and comments on the readings. You are allowed to miss two classes, after which any unexcused absence will result in a 5-point deduction from this portion of your grade. The final portion (75%) of your grade will be comprised of five short papers (4 to 5 pages) due throughout the semester. You will be obligated to revise 2 of these papers and will have the option to revise 2 others (only one revision per paper will be permitted). The final paper will not be subject to revision. We will also dedicate a class session to a peer review of papers so as to generate feedback from your classmates, thereby contributing to your writing and revision process.
