Old Classics, New Approach

Besides offering a chance to read many classic works of French literature, Assistant Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures Abby Zanger says her new course French 134, "Misogyny and Its Discontents in Early Modern France," will provide students with a whole new perspective with which to examine them.

In the course which is taught entirely in French, students will examine literature which portrays women as objects of hate. Students will then scrutinize women's response to these writings, Zanger says.

The course is already showing signs of being a big hit: Zanger says many students have called her to express interest. Still, even if you don't read French, don't despair. If interest continues to be high, Zanger says she may try to teach the course in English next year.

Big Plans

It's not exactly Western Civ, but the scope of Historical Studies A-72, "The Development of the Modern State," is no less broad.

The course, one of this spring's new additions to the Core Curriculum, will attempt to detail the change of Western political institutions from the end of the Middle Ages to the rise of the welfare state, a period of about 800 years.

"Obviously it's rather ambitious," says Dillon Professor of the Civilization of France Stanley H. Hoffman, who will tri-teach the course with Professor of Government Peter A. Hall and Assistant Professor of Government Thomas C. Ertman.

Hoffman says the professors will make an attempt to narrow down the course's rather enormous scope by concentrating on Britain, France and Germany.