3412 The Great Speeches of French Political Rhetoric

This course will study a large variety of political itineraries and many different types of expressions, speeches and oratory performances. It offers a panorama from Joan of Arc (XVth c.) to Simone Weil (XXth c.) and other “great” characters of French history. These characters are often controversial, such as Louis XIV or Napoléon Bonaparte. With the course, students will have the opportunity to become familiar with the political literature of France. They will work on the art of rhetoric and of political discourse in a concrete and lively manner, notably through enrichment of vocabulary, knowledge of the diversity of language styles, analysis of argumentation, and discursive strategies. Students of this course will have the opportunity to independently write a political speech to be performed in class at the end of the Session.

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