Module Code - Title:

FR4628 - FRENCH LITERATURE AND CULTURE 6: MODERNITY AND GENRE; THE NOVEL IN FRENCH

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

1

Lab

0

Tutorial

2

Other

0

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

This module offers a thorough discussion of the question of literary genre and cultural modernity û with particular reference to the novel genre in French over a period of four centuries. In so doing, it builds upon the pre-existing knowledge of students who have been exposed to a number of examples of the genre in preceding modules, while synthesising across the historical scope of their prior exposure to French literary and cultural artefacts. It consolidates the linguistic work done in earlier modules through a challenging exposure to works of a certain difficulty and length, deepening studentsÆ practices of both reading and responding to major cultural artefacts in the target (French) language.

Syllabus:

The module seeks to foster a sense of the long-term in cultural and literary developments. Hence the inclusion of texts spanning four centuries (17th, 18th, 19th and 20th). Elements of context will be provided, through the inclusion of reference to wider historical development, social and cultural theory, and to the parallel and related development of other literary genres. Secondary reading will be duly circumscribed with emphasis being placed on thorough and close readings of the individual works. This emphasis will be replicated in the forms of assessment adopted. Students will be required to give an analytical presentation in the target language of an agreed extract (close reading and linguistic skills). Assessment will also include an extended synthetic essay in the target language (argumentational and linguistic skills).

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: 1.Demonstrate familiarity with the historical development and theoretical implications of the novel in French and Francophone literature 2.Discuss at an appropriate level of sophistication issues in respect of a series of landmark novels selected from this corpus 3.Analyse, in oral presentation and follow-up discussion in French, selected extracts from such works, on linguistic, propositional and broader cultural levels 4.Write an analytical essay in French discussing relevant identified issues in respect of two or more prescribed works 5.Develop literary analyses in terms of wider social and cultural realities and transformations 6.Engage with cultural and historical discussions of modernity in French and European contexts

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: demonstrate an independent critical appreciation of the novel as a medium for the representation of human experience and action; articulate in an informed way their own attitudes to and values regarding the issues covered in the module and analyse ethical and moral questions and the way they are presented in the novels studied; engage critically with the manner in which the novel can reflect and impact upon societal and political debate.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The module will be taught through a mixture of lecture, class discussion, student presentation, and appropriate written research and analytical assignment. In addition to developing their knowledge of the subject area, students will be challenged to improve their communicative and presentational competencies in the French language, both oral and written.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Mme de La Fayette (1666) La Princesse de Clèves , Gallimard

Diderot (1784) Jacques le Fataliste et son maître , Gallimard

Balzac (1834) Le Père Goriot , Gallimard

Malraux (1933) La condition humaine , Gallimard

Modiano (1978) Rue des Boutiques Obscures , Gallimard

Other Relevant Texts:

RAIMOND (1980) Le Roman depuis la Révolution , Armand Colin

RAIMOND (2002) Le Roman , Armand Colin (Cursus)

RAIMOND (1980) Le Roman jusqu¿à la Révolution , Armand Colin

ROBBE-GRILLET (1962) Pour un nouveau roman , Minuit

GIRARD (1977) Mensonge romantique et vérité romanesque , Grasset

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Autumn

Module Leader:

cecilia.benaglia@ul.ie