Norval Bard

In his work at North Central College, Dr. Norval Bard gets to pursue his two greatest academic interests: anything French and technology. He teaches at all levels of the French program and especially enjoys his courses on French culture and history.

One of his favorite projects is taking students to France where he and the students explore French history on site. Dr. Bard's current research focus is on the editing of a medieval epic that has never been published.

Recent individual research projects with students have included a focus on cafés in Paris, 21st Century French literature, the French Revolution, a play based on events from the Wars of Religion in France, an interpretation of the life of Marie Curie, a musical analysis of how Baudelaire's Fleurs du Mal was interpreted by composers.

When not at a desk, Norval Bard can be found enjoying time with Susan, his wife, riding his motorcycle, walking his dogs, playing his guitar or trying out some new technology.

Selected Scholarship

"Reinforcing Rituals: Ceremony and Boundaries in the Couronnement de Louis." Southeastern Medieval Association Conference, October 2016.

"Whirled Without End: Charting Cyclical Identities in La Mort Aymeri de Narbonne."  Modern Language Association Annual Convention, January 2017.

Courses Taught

Paris & Revolution

Medieval French Literature

Contemporary French Literature

Journey Through the History of France

Medieval Thought

France Through Literature

Techniques in French Composition

Elementary French 1, 2

Intermediate French 1, 2

Contemporary France

History of Paris

Francophonie: Québec, Martinique, Sénégal