48
French Literature
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
In line with the specific educational objectives of the degree programmes in which the course is taught, both belonging to class L-11, this teaching activity aims to enhance and develop knowledge in the linguistic-literary area covered by the SUA. At the end of the course, learners should have acquired: 1) a good knowledge of literary theory and narratology; 2) knowledge of the evolution of the autobiographical genre from the 16th to the 20th century; 3) good analytical skills in relation to literary and critical texts; 4) the ability to contextualise an author within their cultural milieu, starting from a detailed analysis of the stylistic features they employ; 5) the ability to identify some of the most evident and significant interdisciplinary relationships between literature and anthropological, philosophical and artistic disciplines; 6) mastery of the main methodological tools applied by modern criticism to narrative fiction; 7) mastery of the specific metalanguage of literary criticism and textual analysis.
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course, students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the key stages in the history of French autobiography and be able to place the various movements within a broader French and European cultural context.
They will have acquired the necessary critical tools and will be able to apply their knowledge and skills to the reading of texts.
FURTHER EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Independent judgement:
students will have acquired a critical attitude towards literary texts and, drawing on their knowledge of literary history and the methodologies provided by criticism, will be able to formulate interpretative hypotheses
relating to autobiographical texts.
Communication skills:
Students will be able to argue clearly and rigorously and will master the specific language of literary criticism.
Learning skills:
Students will be able to combine study with critical reflection and will have acquired the learning skills necessary to tackle the next level of study.
Course Prerequisites
Proficiency in French; good knowledge of the main movements in French literature from the 16th to the 20th century, acquired through French Literature I and II.
Any prerequisites are indicated in the Study Manifesto.
Teaching Methods
There will be a combination of lectures dedicated to historical and literary aspects and participatory lessons, in which students will be involved in reading, translating and commenting on the texts.
Assessment Methods
The examination consists of an oral test aimed at assessing the achievement of the objectives, which will be held in French and will be graded on a scale of 30.
Specifically, students must demonstrate that they have acquired the specific metalanguage of critical and literary analysis, that they have mastered the main tools of critical analysis, that they are familiar with the main movements, authors and works of autobiography in French literature from the 16th to the 20th century, and that they are able to analyse and contextualise the works read and analysed during the course, both in the author's literary production and in the cultural context to which they belong.
The textbook section, or part of it, may be assessed through a structured exemption test (multiple choice or short answer). This test is intended for attending students and is entirely optional. The date (the only one for the entire academic year) will be agreed upon during the course with those who attend, and in any case well in advance. The criteria that will be adopted for the assessment of the oral exam are as follows: - Completeness of historical and literary knowledge - Completeness of knowledge regarding the works covered in the course - Textual analysis skills - Mastery of the specific metalanguage of textual analysis
Texts
Texts
Texts on the history of literature:
1) Philippe Lejeune, L'autobiographie en France, Armand Colin, Paris, 2010.
Works to be read and studied in their entirety:
2) Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Les confessions (any edition in the original language)
3) Stendhal, La vie de Henri Brulard (any edition in the original language)
4) André Gide, Si le grain ne meurt (any complete edition in the original language)
Additional teaching materials
The lecturer will provide additional critical bibliographical references at the beginning of the course.
Those who do not attend the course are requested to contact the lecturer to obtain this additional material, which is an integral part of the examination programme.
Contents
COURSE TITLE:
Autobiography in France from the 16th to the 20th century
CONTENTS:
- Elements of literary criticism and literary theory
- Principal authors of autobiographies from the 16th to the 20th century
- Analytical reading and commentary on Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Confessions
- Analytical reading and commentary on Stendhal's La vie de Henri Brulard
- Analytical reading and commentary on André Gide's Si le grain ne meurt
Course Language
French
More information
Non-attending students are invited to contact the professor.