English 498: Literary Paris

Literary Paris was first offered in the Spring of 2005. The goal of the class was to explore the role of the city of Paris in the production of American, British, and—of course—French literature. We began our studies by taking time to study French culture carefully so that we would better blend into French daily life. We then studied the works of authors like James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Ernest Hemingway, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Simone de Beauvoir, Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, Marcel Proust, and others who lived and worked in Paris.

The class culminated in a ten-day trip to the City of Light where we sought out the places where these writers lived and worked. And, while in Paris, we also took advantage of the opportunity to visit other landmarks like the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe, as well.

Students interested in participating in this Spring’s offering of Literary Paris will apply for grants from MSSU’s International Studies Institute. These grants pay roughly half of the $1900 total cost of the trip. Not including food and souvenirs, students should expect to pay roughly $850 for airfare, hotels, and organized activities.

Interested students should contact Dr. Holly McSpadden (625-9642, mcspadden-h@mssu.edu) or Dr. Jude Meche (525-9535, meche-j@mssu.edu) for more information on Literary Paris.