Romanticism to Decadence: French Novels

Subject FREN30005 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2016.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 30 hours - 1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1.5 hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours

Prerequisites:

French 4 or French 6 or or equivalent.

Subject
Study Period Commencement:
Credit Points:
Semester 2
12.5
Semester 2
12.5
Semester 2
12.5
Semester 2
12.5
Semester 2
12.5
Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:
Subject
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Contact

Dr Bertrand Bourgeois
Email: bbo@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

In this subject students will study a selection of novels from the 19th century, analysing their narrative structures, and developing an awareness of their social and political contexts. Various theories of narrative will be used to facilitate an understanding of the evolution of the French novel from Romanticism to Decadence. At the end of this subject students should be able to analyse the narrative structure of various novels and have a better understanding of nineteenth-century French literature.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this subject, students should:

  • have gained a better appreciation of academic French through the confident use of sophisticated oral and written French at level B2/C1 of the Common European Framework for Languages;
  • have gained an overview of one specialized field (19th Century France) in at least one of the three core areas of French literature, linguistics, and cultural studies;
  • have further consolidated their understanding of the wider literary or linguistic methods used in the specialist fields of French Studies (i.e close reading, essay writing) as well as of general research and analytical skills ;
  • be able to further reflect on their identity as a bicultural and bilingual person and as a global citizen;
  • have consolidated their ability to write small research essays in the field of French Studies and to locate and to use relevant research literature in both French and English;
  • be able to reflect critically on their research essay;
  • be able to make very good use of learning and research technologies in French and English.
Assessment:
  • 2 x quizzes during semester [10%]
  • Group oral presentation (1000 words) during semester [20%]
  • In-class written test (x2) (1000 words) during semester [30%]
  • Final essay including academic sources (2000 words) [40%]

This subject has the following hurdle requirements:

  • Regular participation in tutorials is required with a minimum of 75% attendance.
  • All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day and in-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Prescribed Texts:
  • René (Chateaubriand) 2007
  • La fille aux yeux d'or (Balzac) (1993)
  • La Curée (Zola) (1999)
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

  • be able to analyse the narrative structure of a series of 19th and 20th century novels;
  • be able to demonstrate critical awareness of the social, political and ideological context of these novels.
Links to further information: http://languages-linguistics.unimelb.edu.au/
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: French
French
French
Graduate Diploma in Arts - French

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