FREN311

Reading to Learn: Critical Approaches to Literary Genres

Literature is often approached as an art – a craft of beauty and style – or as a pastime meant to enthrall and distract its readers. In this class, we will also pay sustained attention to literature’s ability to teach through awe and pleasure. Not only will we explore multiple literary forms and devices, but we will gain insights into the evolution of literature from the Enlightenment to the present, as it responded to the creativity of writers and the expectation of readers. To do so, we will study philosophical letters and poetic passcodes, absurd scenography, as well as medical drama.

This reading-focused course will introduce you to four different literary genres in French: non-fiction, poetry, theater, and prose fiction. You will learn how to consider literary texts critically, how to observe the particularities of their form and content, and how to communicate these observations persuasively. As such, this course aims to equip you with the tools and concepts necessary to pursue your studies of literature with confidence and adapt to the specific requirements and expectations of more advanced classes in the department.

Instructor: Dr. Vincent Gélinas-Lemaire

Grading breakdown:

25% Active Participation and Online Discussions
20% Quizzes and Exercises
15% Textual Analyses
20% Oral Presentation
20% Literary Creation

Readings:

Eugène Ionesco, La Cantatrice chauve, suivi de La Leçon (9782070362363)

Maylis de Kerangal, Réparer les vivants  (9782072895746)

These specific titles will be confirmed a few weeks ahead of our first class.

French 311 est un cours d'introduction à la littérature. C'est un cours pré-requis pour les étudiants/es qui désirent s'engager dans une Mineure ou une Majeure de français en études littéraires. Le contenu du cours couvre plusieurs siècles. Il ne s'agit ni d'un cours de grammaire, ni de conversation. Ce cours est conçu [designed] pour découvrir le fonctionnement de la littérature, l’histoire des idées, et aussi pour vous donner les outils [tools] pour réussir votre expérience critique dans vos études en français. La composition écrite et l'engagement en classe sont primordiaux. Il y aura aussi des questions préparatoires dans certains passages littéraires étudiés.

Instructor: Dr. Farid Laroussi

Grading breakdown:

Coming soon!

Readings:

Coming soon!