Why Arguing Is Good for You: Debating Love and Gender in Medieval French

(3 Credit Hours) · Undergraduate

In this course, taught in French, you will examine how love and gender were debated in French and Occitan literatures from before 1500. Debates appear everywhere and they often convey the idea that arguing is intellectually, socially, and emotionally beneficial to those involved. So in this class, we will ask ourselves: How might arguing be good for you? Through the lens of debates on love and gender, we will survey some of the most important works of medieval French literature and unpack a range of thought-provoking texts. Questions that we will examine include: What does a woman know that a man doesn't? Is it better for a man to be faithful while being cheated on or should he be promiscuous? What are the limits of mansplaining? Can a man convince a woman to love him through reasoning? Is the best type of man brave or wise, pushy or patient, braggy or humble? What are the terms of an open relationship? Where does happiness fit in with love and marriage?