Program Overview

Program Overview

The French Literature and Culture I program is designed to analyze the evolution of the novel in France from its origins to the 20th century. The course covers the main authors and currents through the analysis of anthological passages, read and commented in the classroom, taken from the most significant works.

Aims and Content

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will know the general lines of the history of literature, be able to read and understand texts in the language, and be introduced to the use of methods and basic analytical tools to interpret the works of the main authors, contextualizing them in the culture and historical period of reference.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

The active participation in the proposed training activities and individual study will allow the student to:

• Know the general lines of the origin and development of the narrative genre
• Know the general lines of the history of literature from the origins up to the 20th century
• Be able to read and understand literary texts in French
• Use basic analytical methods and tools to interpret the works of the main authors
• Contextualize literary productions in the culture and historical period of reference

Prerequisites

Understanding the French language is a prerequisite for this course.

Teaching Methods

Teaching will take place in presence with two weekly meetings, and with the provision of content and materials on the Aulaweb platform. Students who participate in the lessons and online activities may receive a bonus of up to two points on their final exam grade.

Syllabus/Content

The course will focus on the development of narrative writing in France with specific reference to schools and literary movements from the origins up to the 20th century. There will be constant reference to the reading of theoretical texts and narrative texts.

Main movements and authors that will be treated:

• Les origines du roman français
• La Renaissance: F. Rabelais
• Le roman baroque
• Le roman à l'époque classique
• Le roman au XVIIIe siècle: l'époque des lumières et J.-J. Rousseau
• Le roman au XIXe siècle: préromantisme, romantisme, Réalisme, Naturalisme
• Le roman au XXe siècle: M. Proust, l'Existentialisme, le Nouveau Roman, l'OuLiPo, le roman francophone

ANTHOLOGICAL READINGS: the texts proposed, read and analyzed during the lessons, will be published on the e-learning portal of the University (Aulaweb) and will constitute the subject of examination.

READINGS OF THREE INTEGRAL WORKS: Mme de Lafayette, La Princesse de Clèves; G. de Maupassant; A. Camus, La Peste.

Recommended Reading/Bibliography

All documents used during the lessons and other teaching materials will be available on Aulaweb. The following books are suggested as support texts for attending students; the manual is mandatory for non-attending students:

• G. Macchia e altri, La letteratura francese, ed. BUR, 5 volumi
• Brunel Pierre, Bellenger Yvonne, Couty Daniel, Storia della letteratura francese, vol.1+2, Cideb ed
• Storia europea della letteratura francese, Torino, Einaudi, 2013 volume 1 (Dalle origini al Seicento) e volume 2 (Dal Settecento all'età contemporanea)
• Antologia cronologica della letteratura francese, Milano, LED-CEA, (5 vol)
• Letteratura francese, a cura di M. Landi, 2 vol. (1. Dalle origini al Settecento; 2. Dall'Ottocento al XXI secolo), Mondadori, 2021

Teachers and Exam Board

• CHIARA ROLLA (President)
• MARIE GABORIAUD
• ELISA BRICCO (President Substitute)

Lessons

Lessons start in February 2026. The timetable for this course is available on the Portale EasyAcademy.

Exams

Exam Description

The exam will consist of a conversation in French or Italian (at the choice of the candidate) for attending students, focusing on the analysis of a literary text among those scheduled. For non-attending students, the candidate will have to demonstrate knowledge of the history of the novel from its origins up to the 20th century, including the contents, literary and general characteristics, and specific style of the three integral works.

Assessment Methods

The exam will verify the actual acquisition of basic knowledge about the history of the novel in France from its origins to the 20th century and the ability to display and the accuracy of the use of the specific language of the discipline.

Further Information

Students with valid certification of physical or learning disabilities should speak with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson, the Department's disability liaison, to discuss possible accommodations.