Module Information

Module Identifier
FR29020
Module Title
The Myth of Paris
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Dr Bruno M L Sibona
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
Eligibility for entry to Level 2 French
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 10 x 1 Hour Lectures
Seminar 10 x 1 Hour Seminars
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Continuous assessment: 2 x 1,500-2,000-word essay  40%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   written examination (2 essay questions, equally weighted)  60%
Supplementary Assessment Resubmit all failed or missed elements  40%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Resit the exam if failed or missed  60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Have a better grasp of French language and registers.
2. Develop and demonstrate analytical skills in French literary texts.
3. Develop a non stereotypical and spatial knowledge of Paris as a cultural capital.
4. Historically contextualise the representation of Paris as a cultural capital in relation to the construction of its myth.
5. Have an understanding of how this specific myth has been constructed in literary, political and aesthetic terms.
6. Relate and articulate the construction and the development of this myth to other literary myths.
7. Have a cultural awareness of its relevance to contemporary French issues and to Paris's image today.

Aims

The aim of this module is to prepare students both culturally and linguistically for their Year Abroad, by focusing on the development of the myth of Paris as an international capital of culture and arts. It also aims at increasing their analytical reading skills.

Brief description

This two-part module, taught in French, will introduce students respectively to the birth of the myth of Paris in 19thC. French literature, and to its multi-faceted explosion in 20thC. French literary texts. Through the combined study of short novels, poetry and films, students will explore and develop their understanding of the notion of literary myth.
This module will provide them with the critical tools to understand the concept of myth and to elaborate on the construction and development of other literary myths.
You are expected to use and quote properly secondary literature. Both the quality of secondary literature and the referencing are elements of the evaluation of your essay
Your essays and your exam answers cannot overlap. If you have in depth discussed a question in your essay, you cannot discuss it again extensively in your exam. If you do, your marks will reflect this: depending on the amount of reused material, a 50% reduction will be applied. If half of your exam answer is re-used, your exam mark will be reduced by 25%, etc.
Plagiarism, unreferenced used of foreign materials and excessive quote are not tolerated. Any plagiarised material will be considered inexistent, and depending on the amount of plagiarised materials penalties will be introduced: every plagiarised paragraph will lead to 10% deduction of the mark. Over 33% of plagiarised content the issue will be handled at departmental level.

Content

Texts and films to be studied are:
Honore de BALZAC, "Ferragus" in L'Histoire des treize (Hatier, 2003); Charles BAUDELAIRE, Le Spleen de Paris (Hachette, Le Livre de Poche, 2003); Andre BRETON, Nadja (Gallimard/Folio 1964); Raymond QUENEAU, Zazie dans le metro (Gallimard/Folio, 1980); Some references to relevant French films will be made (Jean Delannoy, Notre Dame de Paris, 1956; Jacques Rivette, Paris nous appartient, 1960)

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Possibly, evaluation of statistical data in the secondary reading.
Communication Oral communication developed in seminars; written communication developed in assessments and exam.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be able to assess their own progress week by week through their increased understanding of the issues raised and the skills developed.
Information Technology Use of on-line journals and source collections; delivery of course materials and information via email and e-learning system.
Personal Development and Career planning Acquisition of transferable skills; in-depth acquaitance with literary/cultural studies as an academic subject.
Problem solving Selection of reading material; answering questions posed by written assessment; seminar work.
Research skills Preparation of written assessment; preparation for seminars.
Subject Specific Skills Acquisition of French linguistic skills.
Team work Debates and group presentations in seminars.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5