96704 - FRENCH LITERATURE AND CULTURE

Learning outcomes

The student- knows the core features (contents, methods and instruments) necessary for the in-depth analysis of French culture and literature; s/he is able to apply this knowledge when tackling a range of semiotically challenging texts; s/he is able to acquire higher-level cultural and literary knowledge and competences independently, and to apply them to a wide range of novel texts.

Course contents

The course explores the political dimension and engagement of literature by analysing a corpus of works of the French contemporary extreme. Returning to and at the same time overcoming the age-old debate between “littérature engagée” (“engaged literature”) and “l'art pour l'art” (“art for art’s sake”), some authors now claim "la puissance d'action de la langue et le pouvoir politique des formes" (Gefen 2022). By choosing socially relevant topics – an intrinsically political choice itself -, narration can be used to depict reality, revealing mechanisms of power, inequalities, and discrimination, and contributing to changing our perception of the world and giving the reader a new perspective. Far from adopting a prescriptive or moralistic approach, literature can thus be useful to better understand the world, to give it a political meaning and in some way to make it a better place. Different text types and genres will be analyzed: a collection of short stories about migration, an eco-feminist dystopian novel, an autofiction featuring a strong social dimension, and a graphic novel with its interplay between text and illustrations. The works examined will also allow us to explore, starting from the Francophone cultural and literary framework, key issues such as ecology, gender and LGBTQ+ issues, body and reproductive rights, inequalities and discrimination, identities, family relationships, and language, including gender neutrality and non-binary gender.

Readings/Bibliography

Marie Darrieussecq [2017](2019) Notre vie dans les forêts, Paris : Gallimard, coll. Folio.

Fatou Diome (2001) La préférence nationale et autres nouvelles, Paris : Présence africaine. (*Only a few short stories from this collection are to be read).

Edouard Louis (2014) En finir avec Eddy Bellegueule, Paris : Seuil.

Fabrice Melquiot, Isabelle Pralong (2021) Polly, Genève : La joie de lire.

Teaching methods

Attendance and participation are highly encouraged. During the lectures, only excerpts from the works included in course bibliography will be read, so students are required to read the assigned readings in advance. Some initial lectures will be followed by class discussions, in which active participation of and by the students is required. Individual reading work will be guided by the lecturer, who will provide reading ideas and further insights into the authors, works and themes covered, placing them in the context of existing literary criticism and cultural and gender studies (a selected bibliography will be provided during the course).

Assessment methods

The final exam will be an oral test. Students will be asked to answer questions about the authors and themes covered in the course, connecting them with each other and demonstrating that they have also mastered the theoretical and methodological tools presented and are able to add personal considerations and insights into the analysis of the texts discussed.

Evaluation grid

30-30L excellent test that demonstrates very broad, thorough and in-depth knowledge of the subject matter, a solid ability to apply theoretical concepts and an excellent command of exposition, as well as an excellent capacity for analysis, synthesis and elaboration of interdisciplinary connections

27-29 above average test that demonstrates precise and thorough knowledge of the subject matter, good ability to apply theoretical concepts, and capacity for analysis and synthesis, accurate and correct exposition

24-26 good test that demonstrates appropriate knowledge of the subject matter, a fair understanding of the application of theoretical concepts, and an articulate presentation of the subject matter

21-23 adequate test that demonstrates appropriate but not in-depth knowledge of the subject, only partial capacity to apply theoretical concepts, and an acceptable presentation of the content

18-20 barely sufficient test that demonstrates adequate but general knowledge of the subject matter, simple exposition, uncertainties in the application of theoretical concepts

Insufficient test that does not demonstrate adequate acquisition of knowledge of the subject matter that is fragmentary and superficial, with errors in the application of concepts, and poor exposition

Teaching tools

Material available on the Virtuale page

Office hours

See the website of Roberta Pederzoli