Module FREN3421: The fin-de-siècle: Symbolism and Decadence

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (French)

FREN3421: The fin-de-siècle: Symbolism and Decadence

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To explore the literature and visual art of late nineteenth-century France in its socio-cultural context, considering in particular the ways in which it was revolutionary;
• To examine the various legacies of Baudelaire’s ground-breaking work;
• To show how the literature and visual art of this period paved the way for modernism.

Content

• This module explores French literature and visual art of the late nineteenth century, a period of extraordinary artistic developments which were crucial to the advent of modernism in the early twentieth century.
• The Symbolist and Decadent movements can both be seen to emerge from the work of Charles Baudelaire, albeit in different ways: while Symbolism seeks a deeper spiritual truth through literature and art (as adumbrated by ‘Correspondances’), Decadence develops the dark and disturbing aspects of Baudelaire’s work (as represented by ‘Une charogne’, for example).
• As well as considering this literary heritage, the module will also examine the socio-cultural context of these movements. However, it will be based on close analysis of literature and visual art, with a broad range of works encompassing novels, short stories, plays, poetry and paintings.
• Through this analysis, the course will explore the various ways in which French literature and art were revolutionised in this period.

Learning Outcomes

• Critical knowledge and understanding of a range of texts and images, offering an insight into late nineteenth-century culture;
• A grounding in the social history of the early Third Republic of France;
• An understanding of how the late nineteenth century was crucial to the evolution of French literary and visual culture.

• Critical analysis and close readings of a variety of literary genres, as well as visual art;
• Ability to think across disciplines, drawing links between cultural material and social history.

• Critical and analytical thinking
• Essay-writing and oral presentation
• Structuring of arguments
• Independent learning and research

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

• Lectures and seminars; assessment will be by one summative commentary, one summative essay and an exam paper incorporating an essay and a commentary.
• These assessments reflect the intended learning outcomes, namely critical understanding of texts and images based on close reading, and a broader cultural awareness.
• Teaching will be in English, with the module capped according to School norms.
• The module will be taught as a short-fat module either in Term 1 or Term 2.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

None