Introduction to French Literary Classics
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Autumn
- Course code
- FRAN123
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- French
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
The course presents a selection of key literary texts from the 16th century and up to 1900. The chief objective is to develop the students' ability to read and interpret literary texts, especially by practicing literary analysis, but also on the basis of knowledge of relevant periods and authors.
When studying the texts, special attention is given to salient literary and linguistic devices, but also to how the texts are linked to French literary and cultural history.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the course, the student is expected to:
Knowledge
- have knowledge about some central literary techniques and their use in narrative, dramatic and lyrical texts
- be able to explain thematic and formal aspects of the syllabus texts in French
- be able to situate the texts in relation to major trends in French literary history
Skills
- be able to make use of the knowledge acquired in independent analyses and discussions of the texts
General competence
- possess a general competence in reading, writing and textual interpretation
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
Teaching takes place in Bergen.
This course is also offered on-line: FRAN623
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
Before the teaching starts, the students have access to preparation material on the learning platform MittUiB. The material may include e.g. introduction videos, videotaped lectures, notes, assignments and a discussion forum. The teaching is normally conducted on campus and presupposes that the students have worked actively with the preparation material. The teaching includes lectures/videotaped lectures, seminars and film screenings.
Supervision is given after submission of the portefolio assignment draft. Students are also encouraged to collaborate on preparing the assignment and to give each other feedback on their drafts. Provided that there are sufficient resources available, assignment seminars will be organized.
If less than five students sign up for the course, the teaching may be adjusted to fit the number of students, e.g. by replacing lectures with seminars or other forms of individually suited teaching. If this should occur, students will be notified about the alternative teaching arrangements before the registration deadline.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
1. Students are required to participate in at least 75% of lectures/seminars (including digital ones) to be eligible for assessment in the course.
2. In connection with the portefolio work (see "Forms of assessment"), the students are required to submit a draft (1000 - 1500 words) of their written assignment in the learning platform Mitt UiB in order to receive and respond to feedback from their teacher before the final submission.
In the beginning of the semester, the assignment options will be announced during a teaching session and published online together with the two submission dates: one date for the draft to be submitted in Mitt UiB and INSPERA and one date for the final version only in INSPERA.
3. Within the first four weeks, the students must submit a French-Norwegian word list (minimum 50 words) from the syllabus texts they have chosen to work with for the written assignment.
The approval of mandatory coursework requirements is valid for the teaching semester and the following semester.
Forms of Assessment
The assessment form is a portfolio.
The following two submissions constitute the basis for the portfolio evaluation. The assignment topics will be distributed in the beginning of the teaching period.
1. The students are required to write a first draft of the assignment (between 1000 and 1500 words) in French, with submission in the middle of the semester in both Mitt UiB and in INSPERA. Students will receive feedback from their teacher on this first version of their work in Mitt UiB.
2. At the end of the semester, the students must submit a final version of the assignment (between 1500 and 2000 words) in INSPERA, which incorporates the teacher's comments.
The submission deadlines will be announced in connection with the teaching sessions and published on Mitt UiB in addition to being available on the course description page.
A collective grade is given for the portfolio. The assessment is based on guidelines for the tasks, which are provided in the course.
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Reading List
Compulsory reading:
A selection of texts from the 16th century to the 19th century.
Students who are less accustomed to reading literary texts in French are encouraged to read the original texts alongside English translations where available.
Background material:
Students are expected advance their knowledge of French literary history from the 16th to the 19th century. Material on the individual authors may be found e.g. in literary histories, encyclopedias and introductions to the works on the curriculum.
In connection with teaching, the students receive suggestions for supplementary reading in literary theory.
The reading list will be made available by 1 July.