Module FREN3221: CONTEMPORARY FRENCH WRITERS: AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND FICTION

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (French)

FREN3221: CONTEMPORARY FRENCH WRITERS: AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND FICTION

Prerequisites

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

Corequisites

• Modern Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: French Language 4 (FREN3041) or French Language 4 following Year Abroad (FREN3351). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To develop final year undergraduate students' skills of analysis with respect to a variety of contemporary literary styles.
• It is designed to increase their awareness of contemporary themes and questions raised by studies of autobiography, the writing of the past, and the representation of social issues.

Content

• This option, taught and assessed in French, will focus on six contemporary writers examined from the point of view of the theories of Fiction and Autobiography.
• The following set texts will be studied: Marguerite Duras L'Amant, Nathalie Sarraute Enfance, Georges Perec W ou le souvenir d'enfance, Herve Guibert A l'Ami qui ne m'a pas sauve la vie, Gisele Prassinos La Table de famille, Regine Detambel La Verriere.
• We will analyse narrative strategies and how the selected texts deal with different social issues and specific themes: i.e. identity, memory, autobiography, fantasy and the fantastic, the representation of gender, family, race, age, violence, intolerance, subversion, love.

Learning Outcomes

• Students should become familiar with a wide range of contemporary themes and questions raised by studies of autobiography, the writing of the past, and the representation of social issues.
• Students should develop a sense of distinction between literary genres and become aware of the variety of new trends in French prose writing.
• Students will develop and understanding of notions of authorship, autobiography and fiction, and therefore be able to do close textual analysis, following specific themes and stylistic devices.

• Ability to compare and expand their analysis of one of the set texts.
• Drawing on critical material and comparative analysis, students will be able to choose and analyse a supplementary book by one of the set authors.

• Extended development of general written communication skills.
• The ability to discuss topical or general issues with a high degree of fluency.
• Extended skills in the aquisition and interpretation of information through close reading and research.
• An extended ability to read complex and multivalent texts with intellentual nuance, and a sensitivity to context and genre.

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

• There will be a mixture of weekly lectures, fortnightly seminars and tutorials in order to prepare the students for their summative essay and their final examination.
• Further preparation for the final examination and the summative essay is acquired by discussing fully the pre-arranged topics of fortnightly seminars.
• As for seminar presentations and practice, oral presentations will be mandatory and details for all topics will be given at the beginning of the year.
• All students will be required to prepare the fortnightly theme and extracts chosen, and one student will start the debate with his/her detailed presentation.
• Students will therefore be encouraged to prepare their favourite subject/author, as well as engage in general discussion during the whole year.

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