The course deals with a selection of key literary texts from the 17th century to the present day. The chief objective is to develop the students¿ ability to read and interpret fictional texts, especially by practicing literary analysis, but also on the basis of knowledge of literary theory, relevant periods and authors.

When studying the texts, special attention is given to salient literary and linguistic writing techniques, but also to how the texts are linked to French and French diaspora culture.

Upon completing the course, the student is expected to:

Knowledge

• have knowledge of relevant literary theory, and about some central literary techniques and their use in narrative, dramatic and lyrical texts
• be able to explain the thematic and formal aspects of the syllabus texts in French
• be able to place the texts in relation to the major trends in French literary history

Skills

• be able to make use of the knowledge acquired in independent analyses and discussions of the texts

General competence

• possess a general reading competence and master textual interpretation, which may also come to use in further pursuits within literary studies

Proficiency in French at least equivalent to advanced French in high-school/upper secondary school, is a prerequisite in order to obtain a good result in this course.

Students are advised to complete FRAN122 before taking FRAN123.

Lectures, colloquia, supervision in connection with the compulsory exercise assignment, and a brief introduction to the self-study computer-based learning program. In addition to ordinary teaching, there will be film screenings.

About 4 to 6 hours of teaching per week in 8 weeks.

At the start of the semester, there will be intensive teaching for about two weeks, whereupon a teaching break follows as the subject FRAN124 offers a seven-week study trip to France, after which the teaching recommences for six weeks leading up to the exam.

Students must attend at least 75 % of the lectures in order to be eligible to take the final exam.

In addition to attending the teaching sessions, the students must write a compulsory exercise assignment in French (approx. 1000 words). The assignment will be distributed right at start of the semester, and its submission will be due 8¿10 weeks later. The dates will be made known in connection with the teaching and as well as being posted online.

The 17th century: 1 drama

The 18th century: 1 novel

The 19th century: 1 novel

The 20th century: 3¿4 novels / 2¿3 novels and 1 drama (at least one work from a French-speaking area outside of France)

The 21st century: 1 novel

A selection of older and newer poetry.

Background material:

Students are expected advance their knowledge of French literary history from the 17th to the 20th century. Material on the individual authors may be found e.g. in literary histories, encyclopedias and annotations to the works on the curriculum.

In connection with teaching, the students receive suggestions for supplementary reading in literary theory.

The reading list will be made available by 1 Jun for the fall semester, and 1 Dec for the spring semester.

Student councilor: mailto:studierettleiar@if.uib.nostudierettleiar@if.uib.no

Exam administration: mailto:eksamen@if.uib.noeksamen@if.uib.no