FREN 380 - In Search of Happiness and Well-Being

What does it mean to live a “good” life? How are the concepts of well-being and happiness connected to cultural and artistic endeavors? To answer these questions, we will study works of fiction, art, and philosophy from the 17th to the 21st centuries, exploring visions of utopian societies during times when dramatic shifts in political, social, and cultural life changed the ways people defined happiness and well-being from themselves and for their societies. We will also explore how our own views of well-being and happiness are influenced by those of earlier time periods. Taught in French. Counts as the pre-20th century course for the French major. Prerequisite(s): A 300-level French course Offered occasionally. (4 Credits)