Introduction to French Literary Classics
Undergraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn
- Course code
- FRAN623
- 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 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 of relevant literary theory, and about some central literary techniques and their use in narrative, dramatic and lyrical texts
- be able to explain the thematic and formal aspects of the syllabus texts in French
- be able to place 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 reading competence and master textual interpretation, which may also come to use in further pursuits within literary studies
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Place of Instruction
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 conducted on ZOOM and presupposes that the students have worked actively with the preparation material. The teaching includes lectures/videotaped lectures, seminars and film screenings.
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
Students must attend at least 75 % of the digital classroom sessions in order to be eligible to take the final exam.
During the first four weeks of the course the students must write a French-English word list (minimum 50words) based on a given text from the curriculum to be published on the platform for the use of the group.
In addition to this task, the students must write a compulsory assignment in French (approx. 1000 words). Guidance is offered during the preparation of the assignment, and students are encouraged to collaborate and respond to each other's work. The assignment will be distributed in the beginning of the course, and its submission will be due six weeks later. The dates will be made known in connection with the teaching and by online announcement. The assignment must be approved before one takes the exam.
The compulsory assignment is valid for two additional semesters following the semester of submission.
Forms of Assessment
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Reading List
Compulsory reading:
A selection of texts from the 16th century to the 19st century.
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, encyclopaedias 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.