This course examines figures in French literature and culture who rebel against the artistic, political, or gender norms of their age. Examples will include the dangerous seductress, the damned poet, the mad scientist, and the enlightenment philosopher, with attention to the cultural and historical context in which they evolved. We will reflect on the individual’s relationship with and responsibility to society, while also considering various visions of creative freedom and intellectual property. We will establish connections between different historical periods, the classics and popular literature, and literature and other media. Prerequisite: FREN 350 or permission of instructor. (Group III)