Module FREN3101: 17TH CENTURY TRAGIC DRAMA

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (French)

FREN3101: 17TH CENTURY TRAGIC DRAMA

Prerequisites

• French Language 2 (FREN2051) or French Language 2 and Year Abroad (FREN2071) OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

• Modern European Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: French Language 4 (FREN3041). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• The study of French 17th-century tragic drama, concentrating on the works of Corneille and Racine.
• To develop an understanding of the development of different forms of tragic drama since the ancient Greeks: 17th-century theories of tragedy, including notably the intentions of the dramatists themselves, and modern critical approaches to their works.

Content

• Primary texts: Corneille, 'Horace', 'Cinna', 'Polyeucte', 'Rodogune', Racine, 'Andromaque', 'Britannicus', 'Berenice', 'Athalie'.
• This module will study what Corneille and Racine were trying to do in their plays, and how they set about achieving their aims.
• It will include dramatic conventions and the theory of tragic drama as expressed by Aristotle, the dramatists themselves, and modern critics.
• The module is taught and examined in English.

Learning Outcomes

• Students should have knowledge of a crucial aspect of French literary culture.

• By the end of this module students should have improved reading skills in French and techniques of literary analysis.

• Skills in written argument.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• This module is taught by means of a weekly lecture and fortnightly seminar.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

None

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University