28686 - French literature I (second language) L

Learning outcomes

The student knows and understands the basic elements which characterize literature in the French language, she/he is able to identify them in specific literary texts, and she/he is able to develop independently, at a more advanced level, certain cultural and literary themes which can then be applied to other literary texts.

Course contents

The Antigone Voice, Today

The course aims to develop the modernity and strength of the mythological figure of Antigone, considered a figure of "resistance": resistance of a female voice compared to the male logos, resistance to tyranny, to power, to the unfair law, to war. The mythological character, who faces the tragic succession of events apparently alone, and persists against the power incarnated by Creon, has always fascinated readers, spectators and artists. During the course we will analyze some literary works by French and Francophone authors of the XX-XXI century focused on the myth of Antigone, in various literary genres: the theater, but also the short story, the novel, the diary. In the various contemporary texts that we will analyze Antigone becomes respectively a character that allows the birth of the theater, a girl who reflects on intercultural differences, a character who allows a temporary pause in the bloody war in Lebanon. The reflection on the current Antigone(s) francophone will also explore the world of African dance and cinema.

Readings/Bibliography

Excerpts from the following novels will be read in class (students are required to read the whole novels for the exam):

- Henry Bauchau, Antigone, Paris, éd. J'ai lu, 2001.

- Axel Cornil, Si je crève, ce sera d'amour, Lansman, 2015.

- Sorj Chalandon, Le quatrième mur, Le livre de poche, 2014.

Teaching methods

During the course, only some passages of the novels will be read; the other parts will be individually read by students. Students will participate actively during text analysis.

Assessment methods

Only some excerpts from the required readings will be read in class; the remaining parts will be assigned as individual homework reading. Individual reading will be guided by suggestions and questions made available on the e-learning site Moodle. Textual analysis requires the active participation of students.

Teaching tools

During the course, some power point presentations of the authors and of their historical context will be offered. They will also be available on our e-learning platform, Moodle. The analysis of texts will be always enriched with existing literary criticism.

 

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Elefante