French Literature 3
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide third-year specialist students with an overview of French Literature, from Renaissance to Classicism, and offers a focus on important texts of this period. A reflection is offered on the relationship - thematic, stylistic, cultural - between period and authors considered and modernity.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: 1) An essential framework of French Literature, from Renaissance to Classicism, according to the authors considered, 2) Understanding basic elements in order to analyse texts' structure (metrical, stylistic, theatrical and narrative devices). Skills. 1) Ability to identify the main expressive features (stylistic, thematic and structural) of every literary work and recognize the author's identity in it 2) Ability to date literary works in chronological and cultural connection with modernity, 3) Ability to use coherently critical contributions 4) Ability to read works and identify themes and formal issues.
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
The course is entitled 'The Minotaur, Theseus and Phaedra: the literary rewriting of a familiar mythical labyrinth'. The course intends to analyse the origin of the Phaedra myth in antiquity and to recognise the essential meanings of its myths. This premise introduces the analysis of some French rewritings of the myth, from Racine's classical tragedy to the 20th century works of Yourcenar, Supervielle and Gide.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is held entirely in French, and the examination materials and bibliography presuppose skills in literary history, the use of terminology and critical analysis acquired in the previous courses of French Language and Literature 1 and 2
Teaching methods
Frontal teaching: analysis of the Phaedra myth (anthropological reading, first literary expressions, constant myths and variations) synthesis of the historical-literary context of each author considered; analysis of the texts in their different articulations (rhetorical devices, stylistic devices, theatrical and narrative structures)
Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended
Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended
Teaching Resources
Bibliographic indications:
Racine, Phèdre et Hyppolite, any edition in French
Marguerite Yourcenar, Feux, [1936], any edition in French
Jules Supervielle, Le Minotaure,[1939], PDF available in Ariel
André Gide, Thésée, [1946], any edition in French
Sulle tracce : classicismo e riscrittura inRacine e Gide dispensa, Prof. ssa Alessandra Preda, Cusl, 2022: Chapter I; Chapter II; Chapter III, paragraphs 1, 2, 5 only.
Critical essays on Yourcenar and Superville (PDF available in Ariel).
Racine, Phèdre et Hyppolite, any edition in French
Marguerite Yourcenar, Feux, [1936], any edition in French
Jules Supervielle, Le Minotaure,[1939], PDF available in Ariel
André Gide, Thésée, [1946], any edition in French
Sulle tracce : classicismo e riscrittura inRacine e Gide dispensa, Prof. ssa Alessandra Preda, Cusl, 2022: Chapter I; Chapter II; Chapter III, paragraphs 1, 2, 5 only.
Critical essays on Yourcenar and Superville (PDF available in Ariel).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam: The oral exam consists of an interview in French on the syllabus topic. The student will have to analyse the texts in French presented in the course, be able to contextualise them (historical-literary context), be able to recognise the elements of the rewriting of the myth and its problems; be able to analyse the text in its articulations (rhetorical and stylistic devices, theatrical and narrative structures)
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday from 2.30 to 7.30 pm.
square S.Alessandro 1, 2nd floor