Bethany Ladimer
Professor Emerita of French
Bethany Ladimer holds a doctorate from Columbia University. Her teaching interests include twentieth- and twenty-first century (French) literature, women's writing, the literature of World War II, and the literature of Québec. Her research is in the areas of twentieth- and twenty-first century prose; women's studies; aging and creativity, literature of Québec.
She is the author of Colette, Beauvoir, Duras: Age and Women Writers (University Press of Florida, 2000). See below for her more recent publications.
Courses
Courses offered in the past four years.
▲ indicates offered in the current term
▹ indicates offered in the upcoming term[s]
FREN 0205 - Toward Liberated Expression
Toward Liberated Expression
A course designed to increase and perfect the ability to express oneself in spoken and written French. Emphasis on precision, variety, and vocabulary acquisition. Sections limited to 15 students. (FREN 0203 or placement) This requirement for the major and the minor may be satisfied by placement at a higher level. 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Spring 2010, Fall 2010
FREN 0210 - Identity in French Literature
Identity in French Literature
Exploration of differing views of the self, society, and the world in major works of French poetry, drama, and prose. This course is designed to develop students' ability to read and critique literature in French, as a transition from FREN 0205 to more advanced literature courses. (FREN 0205 or by placement) 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Fall 2010
FREN 0230 - Introduction to Contemp France
Introduction to Contemporary France
An introduction to several major sectors and themes: the family, the school system, social structures, the economy, the political structures and parties. Emphasis on the vocabulary of these sectors, language appropriate to situating them in context, and the ability to analyze documents involving such themes. (FREN 0210, or FREN 0221; FREN 0205 by approval only; ordinarily this course is closed to first-semester first year students) This requirement for the major may also be met by certain courses in France, or by an equivalent in the summer French School. 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Spring 2010
FREN 0380 - The 20th Century Novel
The Twentieth-Century Novel
The early years of the 21st-century offer us a new perspective on the major French literary events of the 20th, enabling us to see which works remain in sharp focus over time. In this course we will examine the aesthetic response of French prose writers to the main currents and key moments of French social and political history since World War II, offering both a sociological interpretation and close literary readings. Works studied may include Les Belles Images (Beauvoir), Les Choses (Pérec), Les Petits Enfants du siècle (Rochefort), La Modification (Butor), La Place de l’Etoile (Modiano), and Acide sulfurique (Nothomb). (FREN 0221 or by waiver) 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Fall 2009
FREN 0500 - Independent Projects
Independent Project
Qualified students may be permitted to undertake a special project in reading and research under the direction of a member of the department. Students should seek an advisor and submit a proposal to the department well in advance of registration for the term in which the work is to be undertaken. FREN 0500 projects or essays proposed by senior majors for fall or spring may be eligible for departmental honors. (Approval required by the department as a whole. See requirements above.)
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010
FREN 0700 - Senior Research
For senior majors who are candidates for departmental honors. Students should seek an advisor and submit a proposal to the department well in advance of registration for the term in which the work is to be undertaken. (Approval required by the department as a whole. See requirements above.)
Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Winter 2010, Spring 2010, Fall 2010
INTL 0702 - EUS Senior Thesis
Recent Publications
"Wartime Writings, or the Imaginary Lover of Marguerite Duras," Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature, volume 33.1 Winter 2009.
"Lectures à travers la Manche: Colette et Virginia Woolf," Cahiers Colettte, n°27, 2005.
"Marguerite Duras," Encyclopedia of Women's Autobiography. Greenwood Press, 2004.
"Cracking the Codes: Social Class and Gender in Annie Ernaux," Chimères, Spring 2000.
