Francophones Literatures
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course of Francophone Literatures chooses to focus on a different Francophony each academic year, presenting itself as a specialization training with respect to the literary courses of French of the Bachelor's Degree. For this academic year, francophone Caribbean will be focused. In addition to providing broad outlines of literary historical evolution of the Francophone Literature object of the course (with possible references to pre-acquired knowledge in French literature), lessons will focus, from time to time, on a specific topic. On the one hand, therefore, students will learn how to define a part of the history of literature; on the other hand, a monographic topic will always be focused on probing forms and contents of a genre of a Francophone literature; so the student will learn to use refined textual analysis tools and will become aware of the fact that starting from the analysis of literary works is It is possible to recognize and define a cultural and historical specificity of the Francophone universe.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: students will learn how to define a literary path, starting from the works and the historical, cultural and artistic framework of a defined period. Students will also have deepened the functioning of the narratology tools that allow the analysis of the literary text avoiding impressionistic readings. They will also have acquired knowledge of the historical-cultural evolution of Francophone Caribbean (Haiti, Martinique, Guadalupe, French Guiana) through some exemplary texts and verified the interaction between Literature and other disciplines (Anthropology, Cultural studies, History, Geography). Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: capacity for critical interpretation and interpretative autonomy applicable to any type of literary text. Opening of the student's subjective point of view in the direction of the culture of the other. Ability to set up transversal readings in the cultural, linguistic, artistic and historical-social frameworks, so to be able to compare different cultures in depth and to listen to cultures that are also significantly distant from those to which we belong.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Course title: "Variations sur l'espace dans le roman québécois moderne et contemporain."
The course consists of three points that will be addressed in as many parts in progressive sequence:
1a. "Le Grand Nord".
1b. "Espace de l'asphyxie et de l'isolement."
2. "Le roman de la route"
3. "Espaces d'un futur proche"
Step 1: after tracing the development of Quebec literature, attention will be directed to two exemplary novels that are as many testimonies to two great authors and two different facets of space: the myth of the Great North, through the meta-artistic reading that Gabrielle Roy provides of it, and the suffocating space that conveys part of Anne Hébert's work. Students will be also asked to apply some narrative exercises on the declination of isolation in a short novel by Jacques Benoit.
Step 2 will focus a genre typical of North American literature, the "road novel" or "roman de la route" whose highest testimony is secured by Jacques Poulin.
Step 3 aims to bring students closer to the issue of First Nations authors and, above all, to a genre that sums up the legacy of science fiction, and which is a tool, aesthetically valid, for deep and serious social reflection and criticism.
In addition to narrative content, in the analysis of each individual novel, great attention will be paid to the choices of genre typology and the writing and composition techniques of individual authors.
The syllabus for this course runs through the end of February 2025.
NB: Students are encouraged to take the course in its entirety. Students who intend to acquire 6 CFUs will present items 1a/b and 2; students who intend to acquire 9 CFUs will present the entire program.
The course consists of three points that will be addressed in as many parts in progressive sequence:
1a. "Le Grand Nord".
1b. "Espace de l'asphyxie et de l'isolement."
2. "Le roman de la route"
3. "Espaces d'un futur proche"
Step 1: after tracing the development of Quebec literature, attention will be directed to two exemplary novels that are as many testimonies to two great authors and two different facets of space: the myth of the Great North, through the meta-artistic reading that Gabrielle Roy provides of it, and the suffocating space that conveys part of Anne Hébert's work. Students will be also asked to apply some narrative exercises on the declination of isolation in a short novel by Jacques Benoit.
Step 2 will focus a genre typical of North American literature, the "road novel" or "roman de la route" whose highest testimony is secured by Jacques Poulin.
Step 3 aims to bring students closer to the issue of First Nations authors and, above all, to a genre that sums up the legacy of science fiction, and which is a tool, aesthetically valid, for deep and serious social reflection and criticism.
In addition to narrative content, in the analysis of each individual novel, great attention will be paid to the choices of genre typology and the writing and composition techniques of individual authors.
The syllabus for this course runs through the end of February 2025.
NB: Students are encouraged to take the course in its entirety. Students who intend to acquire 6 CFUs will present items 1a/b and 2; students who intend to acquire 9 CFUs will present the entire program.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is taught entirely in French; the works, materials and critical bibliography are mainly in French; this presupposes solid language skills. Students with insufficient knowledge of French will rarely be able to rely on Italian translations and attend classes with full proficiency. Erasmus or other mobility students are admitted, provided they, in turn, possess solid French language skills. In addition to this, a basic knowledge of the development of Modern French Literature is an appreciable help to the student.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: frontal lessons; reading and commenting on significant passages taken from the works in the program; viewing and commenting on images (iconographic support), documentaries and short films.
Active production of textual analysis exercises by the student in the classroom (especially on Jacques Benoit's text).
Active production of textual analysis exercises by the student in the classroom (especially on Jacques Benoit's text).
Teaching Resources
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS
WORKS
- Gabrielle ROY, "La montagne secrète," Montréal, Boréal-Compact, 1994 (1a)
- Anne HÉBERT, "Les fous de Bassan," Paris, Seuil, coll. "Points," 1998 (1b)
- Jacques POULIN, "Volkswagen Blues," Arles, Actes Sud, 1999 (2)
- J.D. KURTNESS, "Aquariums," Longueuil, L'Instant même, 2019 (3)
- J. BENOIT, "Le petit Monsieur," Turin, Rosenberg & Sellier, 2023
CRITICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Marco MODENESI (ed.), "Variations sur l'espace dans le roman québécois moderne et contemporain": materials for the Francophone Literature course - AA 2023/2024 (collection of papers available on the Ariel website or to be requested free of charge from the teacher): the collection of critical texts gathered here constitutes the main bibliography for the course.
- Yves REUTER, "Introduction à l'analyse du roman," Paris, Colin, 2016
-The student is also expected to be familiar with all videos and documents indicated and/or uploaded in the "Materiali integrativi per il corso AA 2023/2024 course" section on the Ariel (Letterature francofone) website.
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
WORKS
-Gabrielle ROY, "La montagne secrète," Montréal, Boréal-Compact, 1994 (1a)
-Anne HÉBERT, "Les fous de Bassan," Paris, Seuil, coll. "Points," 1998 (1b)
- Jacques POULIN, "Volkswagen Blues," Arles, Actes Sud, 1999 (2)
- J.D. KURTNESS, "Aquariums," Longueuil, L'Instant même, 2019 (3)
- J. BENOIT, "Le petit Monsieur," Turin, Rosenberg & Sellier, 2023
CRITICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Marco MODENESI (ed.), "Variations sur l'espace dans le roman québécois moderne et contemporain": materials for the Francophone Literature course - AA 2023/2024 (collection of papers available on the Ariel website or to be requested free of charge from the teacher): the collection of critical texts gathered here constitutes the main bibliography for the course.
- Yves REUTER, "Introduction à l'analyse du roman," Paris, Colin, 2016
- Dominique COMBE, "Les littératures francophones. Questions, débats, polémiques," Paris, PUF, 2010
- The student is also expected to be familiar with all videos and documents indicated and/or uploaded in the "Materiali integrativi per il corso AA 2023/2024 course" section on the Ariel (Letterature francofone) website.
WORKS
- Gabrielle ROY, "La montagne secrète," Montréal, Boréal-Compact, 1994 (1a)
- Anne HÉBERT, "Les fous de Bassan," Paris, Seuil, coll. "Points," 1998 (1b)
- Jacques POULIN, "Volkswagen Blues," Arles, Actes Sud, 1999 (2)
- J.D. KURTNESS, "Aquariums," Longueuil, L'Instant même, 2019 (3)
- J. BENOIT, "Le petit Monsieur," Turin, Rosenberg & Sellier, 2023
CRITICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Marco MODENESI (ed.), "Variations sur l'espace dans le roman québécois moderne et contemporain": materials for the Francophone Literature course - AA 2023/2024 (collection of papers available on the Ariel website or to be requested free of charge from the teacher): the collection of critical texts gathered here constitutes the main bibliography for the course.
- Yves REUTER, "Introduction à l'analyse du roman," Paris, Colin, 2016
-The student is also expected to be familiar with all videos and documents indicated and/or uploaded in the "Materiali integrativi per il corso AA 2023/2024 course" section on the Ariel (Letterature francofone) website.
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
WORKS
-Gabrielle ROY, "La montagne secrète," Montréal, Boréal-Compact, 1994 (1a)
-Anne HÉBERT, "Les fous de Bassan," Paris, Seuil, coll. "Points," 1998 (1b)
- Jacques POULIN, "Volkswagen Blues," Arles, Actes Sud, 1999 (2)
- J.D. KURTNESS, "Aquariums," Longueuil, L'Instant même, 2019 (3)
- J. BENOIT, "Le petit Monsieur," Turin, Rosenberg & Sellier, 2023
CRITICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Marco MODENESI (ed.), "Variations sur l'espace dans le roman québécois moderne et contemporain": materials for the Francophone Literature course - AA 2023/2024 (collection of papers available on the Ariel website or to be requested free of charge from the teacher): the collection of critical texts gathered here constitutes the main bibliography for the course.
- Yves REUTER, "Introduction à l'analyse du roman," Paris, Colin, 2016
- Dominique COMBE, "Les littératures francophones. Questions, débats, polémiques," Paris, PUF, 2010
- The student is also expected to be familiar with all videos and documents indicated and/or uploaded in the "Materiali integrativi per il corso AA 2023/2024 course" section on the Ariel (Letterature francofone) website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an individual interview, which opens with the student's reading and critical commentary on a passage, of his or her choice, from one of the works in the program. The interview then involves questions posed by the teacher, interactions between teacher and student, and further analysis and commentary on one or more aspects related to the works in the program. The interview varies in duration but averages around twenty minutes and is compulsorily conducted in French for students of the LM of Foreign Languages (Lingue e letterature europee ed extra-europee/European and Extra-European Languages and Literatures) French specialists; with the candidate's choice between Italian and French for all others. The interview aims to test the candidate's knowledge of the texts read (works and critical bibliography), ability to contextualize authors and works, skill in exposition, precision in the use of specific terminology, ability to reflect critically and personally on the proposed themes, and use of the textual analysis methodologies illustrated during the lectures. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths and the student has the option of refusing it (in which case it will be verbalized as "ritirato"/"withdrawn"). International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
After the end of lessons: may 26th,15 -16.30; 4th june, 9.30 - 11.30; 13th june, 15.30 -17; 17th june,, 10 - 12; 2nd july, 15.30 - 17.
Department of Foreing languages,literatures, cultures and mediations; 1, S. Alessandro Square, Milan