French Literature 1
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Starting with authors and exemplary works and by focusing particularly on poetic structures (metrics, phonoprosodics, rhetoric) and thematic structures that characterize and reveal specific writing choices, the course aims to identify how to recognize and define a cultural-literary movement (foundation, evolution, manière) choosing a particular poetic moment as an exemplary one. At the same time, the student will be introduced to the hermeneutics of the literary text, by introducing the basic tools of poetic analysis and their scientific and non-impressionistic application.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: students will learn what is a course of literary history and how to define it, starting from the works and the historical, cultural and artistic framework of a defined period. They will also acquire basic tools of poetry analysis that allow them to analyse the literary text avoiding impressionistic readings. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: ability to draw critical interpretation and interpretative autonomy of medium level applicable to the literary text of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Ability to set transversal readings in the cultural, artistic and social-historical framework, going beyond the impression that art moves in a watertight compartment.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The evolution of the French novel between the mid-19th century and the early 20th century.
A (20 hours; 3 credits): Flaubert's "Madame Bovary": end of Romanticism and birth of Realism:
B (20 hours; 3 credits): the novel at the end of the 19th century: naturalism (Zola) and symbolism-decadence (Huysmans);
C (20 hours; 3 credits): the revolutions of the early decades of the 20th century. The example of André Gide.
Please note that the program is valid until February 2027.
A (20 hours; 3 credits): Flaubert's "Madame Bovary": end of Romanticism and birth of Realism:
B (20 hours; 3 credits): the novel at the end of the 19th century: naturalism (Zola) and symbolism-decadence (Huysmans);
C (20 hours; 3 credits): the revolutions of the early decades of the 20th century. The example of André Gide.
Please note that the program is valid until February 2027.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites are required. The course is taught in Italian, but all works will be read in their original French version and must be presented in their original version for the exam. All students are so encouraged to attend the French Language 1 course and exercises regularly in order to acquire the language skills necessary to access the works and critical texts.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: face-to-face lectures; reading, translation, and commentary (content and form) of the novels on the syllabus; viewing and commentary on images and short films; viewing and analysis of some film clips related to the novels on the syllabus.
Teaching Resources
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gustave FLAUBERT, "Madame Bovary", qualsiasi edizione integrale in versione francese
Émile ZOLA, "La Bête humaine", qualsiasi edizione integrale in versione francese
Joris-Karl HUYSMANS, "À rebours", qualsiasi edizione integrale in versione francese
André GIDE, "Les faux-monnayeurs", qualsiasi edizione integrale in versione francese
Marco MODENESI (a cura di) "Letteratura francese. L'Ottocento", Milano, Pearson, 2022
Angelo MARCHESE, "L'officina del racconto", Mondadori, "Oscar", ed. disp.
M. MODENESI, "Il simbolismo francese. I grandi maestri", Roma, Carocci, 2025
Gian Luigi DI BERNARDINI (a cura di), "'Les faux-monnayeurs' di André Gide: lettura guidata", Milano, MIMESIS, 2016
Gustave FLAUBERT, "Madame Bovary", qualsiasi edizione integrale in versione francese
Émile ZOLA, "La Bête humaine", qualsiasi edizione integrale in versione francese
Joris-Karl HUYSMANS, "À rebours", qualsiasi edizione integrale in versione francese
André GIDE, "Les faux-monnayeurs", qualsiasi edizione integrale in versione francese
Marco MODENESI (a cura di) "Letteratura francese. L'Ottocento", Milano, Pearson, 2022
Angelo MARCHESE, "L'officina del racconto", Mondadori, "Oscar", ed. disp.
M. MODENESI, "Il simbolismo francese. I grandi maestri", Roma, Carocci, 2025
Gian Luigi DI BERNARDINI (a cura di), "'Les faux-monnayeurs' di André Gide: lettura guidata", Milano, MIMESIS, 2016
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview that begins with the reading, translation, and critical interpretation (according to the methods presented during the course) of a passage from a text chosen by the student. The exam continues with questions from the instructor, interaction between instructor and student, and analysis and commentary on the chosen work and other works on the syllabus. The duration of the exam may vary, but on average it lasts about twenty minutes and is usually conducted in Italian. The exam may be taken in French at the student's discretion. The exam aims to assess the student's knowledge of the works and critical bibliography on the program, their ability to contextualize authors and works, the quality of their presentation, their precision in the use of language and specific terminology, as well as their capacity for critical and personal reflection in the literary field and their application of the textual analysis methodologies provided for in the program. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, and students have the right to refuse the assessment (in which case, it will be recorded as "ritirato").
Examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or SLDs must be agreed upon with the instructor, by first contacting the relevant office at the University.
Examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or SLDs must be agreed upon with the instructor, by first contacting the relevant office at the University.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-LIN/03 - FRENCH LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-LIN/03 - FRENCH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Summer calendar:July 24th, 15.30-17; July 31st, 10-11.30; September 5th, 10-12
Department of Foreing languages,literatures, cultures and mediations; 1, S. Alessandro Square, Milan