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

War and, more generally, the great conflicts of History have always found a place in literature, most often as a clear rejection by intellectuals and writers. During the course, three novels will be analysed that translate the Second World War, the France's history under Nazi occupation, the Lebanon War and the theatre of war in Syria into narrative form. The aim is to read these works as forms of testimony to an experience of the extreme and to see how modern and contemporary conflicts are intertwined with figures from myths that have always been linked to war in the imagination. Reflections on the link between History and individual stories will also be developed, following the various forms that this link can take within novels.

Readings/Bibliography

Irène Némirovsky, Suite française, éd. Folio, 2006.

Sorj Chalandon, Le Quatrième mur, éd. Le Livre de Poche, 2014.

Julie Ruocco, Furies, Actes Sud, 2021.

We recommend the purchase of these editions for reading in the classroom.

 

Teaching methods

During the course, only excerpts from the novels on the programme will be read out; the remaining parts will be read out by students as individual work. The individual reading work will be guided by points of reflection and questions that the teacher will propose from time to time on the IOL shared learning platform. The textual analysis will require the active participation of the student community.

Assessment methods

he exam will consist of an oral test during which students will be asked to add personal considerations and ideas for the analysis of the texts covered, as well as to draw thematic, linguistic and stylistic links between the works analysed.

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

During the course, in addition to the analysis of the texts, there will be power point presentations (published on the e-learning platform) of the authors and the literary context in which they write. The teacher's analysis of the texts will be enriched by existing literary criticism of which bibliographical references will be provided.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Elefante