French Literature

Language of Instruction

French

Pre-requirements

None

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course the candidates will

• have gained knowledge of the texts on the reading list and their cultural context
• have gained knowledge of the main lines in French literary history from the seventeenth century to our time
• know some central literary techniques and their use in narratives, drama and poetry
• be able to explain in French thematic and formal aspects of the texts on the reading list
• be able to place the texts on the reading list along the main lines of French literary history
• be able to use the knowledge they have gained in independent analyses and discussions of the texts on the reading list
• be able to further develop their knowledge and competence, as well as the understanding of French literature, through further study

Contact Information

studierettleiar@if.uib.no

Course offered (semester)

Fall

Language of Instruction

French

Course Unit Level

Bachelor

Access to the Course Unit

The course is open to all with admission to the University of Bergen.

Aim and Content

The course will give an introduction to French literature and literary history from the seventeenth century to our time. The purpose is to develop the students' ability to read and interpret literary texts through practice in literary analysis and knowledge of the periods and authors. When studying the texts, the attention will be on the literary and linguistic tools and how the texts are tied to French and Francophone culture.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course the candidates will

• have gained knowledge of the texts on the reading list and their cultural context
• have gained knowledge of the main lines in French literary history from the seventeenth century to our time
• know some central literary techniques and their use in narratives, drama and poetry
• be able to explain in French thematic and formal aspects of the texts on the reading list
• be able to place the texts on the reading list along the main lines of French literary history
• be able to use the knowledge they have gained in independent analyses and discussions of the texts on the reading list
• be able to further develop their knowledge and competence, as well as the understanding of French literature, through further study

Pre-requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

To complete the course with good results a level of French corresponding to at least level 2 from Upper Secondary School is required.

The students are advised to take the Spring courses FRAN101 and FRAN103 before the Fall courses FRAN102 and FRAN114.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, classes devoted to working on assignments, supervision tied to the compulsory assignment, as well as a short introduction to using a computer-based educational program for independent study. In addition to the ordinary lectures, movies will be shown every week.

About 8 hours of teaching per week for 8 weeks.

At the beginning of the semester intensive teaching in the course will be given for 2 weeks, followed by a break in the teaching at the same time as the course FRAN114 conducts a study trip to France for 7 weeks, then teaching resumes for another 6 weeks until the exam.

Compulsory Requirements

In connection with the teaching, students will write a compulsory assignment in French (about 1500 words). The assignment is handed out a few weeks after the beginning of the semester, and will be due 8-10 weeks later. The dates will be announced in connection with the lectures and on the bulletin board/internet. The assignment must be approved before one can take the exam.

Assessment methods

The exam is a 6-hour written test with questions related to literary analysis or about literary problems. You must answer in French. The students can use monolingual (French-French) dictionaries approved by the Department.

Grading Scale

The grading scale A-F is used, where F is a fail.

Reading List

a) Literary texts
The curriculum is compulsory and contains the following:

• The seventeenth century: 1 work
• The eighteenth century: 1 work
• The nineteenth century: 1 novel, 2 short stories
• The twentieth century: 5 novels (2 from francophone areas outside of France), 3 short stories.

Additionally: 20 pages of poetry from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
In the curriculum outline available online there is information regarding which texts are included in the curriculum at any time.

b) History of literature

The student will read a short outline of French history of literature from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. They should also become more familiar with the authors available through the curriculum. Material on the various authors can be found in histories of literature, encyclopedias and commentaries to the works on the reading list.

Any changes in the curriculum will be announced at the start of the semester.

Place of Teaching

Bergen

Course Unit Evaluation

The teaching is evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.

Contact Information

studierettleiar@if.uib.no