In France, political correctness and Harvard-bashing are a la mode. But two Harvard French professors are trying to put the popular pastimes in perspective.

The two professors are suing Le Figaro Magazine for libel and defamation,after an article in the magazine attacked their academic credentials and the french section of Harvard's Romance Languages and Literatures Department.

Professor of Romance Language and Literatures Alice A. Jardine and Professor of Romance and Comparative Literatures Susan R. Suleiman are asking for a printed apology and damages of 150,000 francs, or about $30,000.

The lawsuit was prompted by an April 16,1994 article by French journalist Victor Loupan titled "That Peculiar France: Made in the USA."

At the trial, which was held on Wednesday, March 15, at the Palace of Justice in Paris, Jardine and Suleiman contended that Loupan blantantly misrepresented their teaching qualifications and the content of Harvard's French program. A verdict in the libel suit is expected on May 10.

In the article, Loupan characterizes the Harvard French program as a community of feminist scholars devoted to the study of homosexual women of color.

At Harvard, "a classic author is a suspect author--better still, a banned author," he writes. "A contemporary work will be taught there if its author is a woman (at least), of color (if possible) and homosexual (perfect)."

The article fault's Harvard's French program for its departure from the traditional canon of French literature.

"Harvard is the temple of the politically correct,''' Loupan writes.

"That is to say, the new thought police....Feminists and followers of political correctness--the majority among Harvard professor--like to act as the Red Guard."

In addition to attacking the University, Loupanattacks the qualifications of those who teachhere.

"Among the women who succeeded [Harvard's]great [French] professor, Alice Jardine alonemight present a semblance of universityqualification," Loupan writes, proceeding to mockthose qualifications as insignificant.

Jardine, Suleiman and their colleagues andstudents have responded to Loupan's allegationswith a mixture of anger and amused dismay. Jardinesays that the magazine is "less respectable" thanthe daily newspaper. Still, Suleiman says thatmany people do read the glossy supplement.

"Many of them know that the magazine is veryright-wing and not always reliable," Suleimansays. "But nevertheless... the power of theprinted word is great."

Both professors wrote letters to the editor ofthe magazine responding to Loupan's accusations.

"There are so many lies, omissions, anddistortions in [Loupan's] article that it isalmost futile to try to correct them all," Jardinewriters. "the entire article is based on anintention to damage and undermine the professionaldignity of Harvard professors."