AUGUST

31—Introduction; Early Modern France: Geography, Institutions, Society

SEPTEMBER

2—The Sixteenth-Century Crisis: I

7—The Sixteenth-Century Crisis: II

9—Henry IV

DISCUSSION: Rapley: Introduction, Chaps 1-2

14—Regency

16—Louis XIII

DISCUSSION: Rapley: Chaps 3-4

21—Richelieu

23—Thirty Years War

DISCUSSION: Rapley: Chap 5-6

28—Mazarin

30—The Fronde, 1648-49

DISCUSSION: Rapley: Chaps 7-8 and Conclusion

OCTOBER

5—TEST: Assgn: All material to this point

7—The Fronde, 1650-53

SECTION 011: RAPLEY BOOK REPORT DUE

12—Louis XIV: Childhood and Youth

14—1661: Fouquet and Louise de La Vallière

DISCUSSION: Kettering: Chap 6; Hurt: Introduction

19—Colbert and the Age of Reform

DISCUSSION: Hurt: Chap 1

21—The Dutch War

DISCUSSION: Hurt: Chap 2

26—Versailles

DISCUSSION: Kettering: Chap 5

28—Protestants and Catholics

DISCUSSION: Kettering: Chap 7

NOVEMBER

4—France in North America

9—War of the League of Augsburg

DISCUSSION: Hurt: Chap 3

11—The Triumph of French Literature

16—TEST: Assgn: Everything since the First Test

18—Louis XIV in Middle Age

23—Origins of the War of the Spanish Succession

DISCUSSION: Kettering: Chaps 1-2

30—The War of the Spanish Succession

DISCUSSION: Kettering: Chaps 3-4

DECEMBER

2—The Fight to the Finish

DISCUSSION: Hurt: Chap 4

7—The End of the Reign

DISCUSSION: Hurt: Chaps 5-7

SECTION 011: KETTERING BOOK REVIEW DUE

COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAMINATION

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Class attendance is obligatory. You may have two unexcused absences, but every unexcused absence above two will reduce your final grade by one increment (e.g., from a B+ to a B, and so on). Excused absences are, in principle, unlimited, but a large number of them would make it impossible for you to succeed in this course. The University defines excused absences as those resulting from medical emergencies, religious observances, representing the University on an athletic team, and the like. These must be documented. Leaving class early without permission counts as an absence.

TESTS, FINAL EXAMINATION, AND GRADES

We will have two tests and a comprehensive final examination. Each counts 1/3 of your final grade, except that class participation in discussion may provide grounds for raising your grade. Advanced Writing Section: each paper counts 5 % of your final grade.

ADVANCED WRITING SECTION

You will review the books by Elizabeth Rapley and Sharon Kettering. Your book reviews should be about five pages in length and evaluative. Assess the strengths and weaknesses of each book and avoid a mere summary of the contents. Observe the rules and suggestions for writing in the Diana Hacker handbook. The due dates are indicated above. THESE ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE; BE SURE TO OBSERVE YOUR DEADLINE.

CELL PHONES

Turn them off when you enter the classroom.

READING

Course requirements include reading all the assigned books. We will work on the books in class, but you should plan to read them in advance and attentively, retaining a large part of what you read. The tests will, of course, cover the books we read.