Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This research-led course explores a selection of poetry in the French language of the period post-1850. Privileging works characterized by experiment and innovation, it emphasises close reading and the importance of literary and cultural context to the understanding of poetry. The course asks what it is that makes poetic language so unlike other modes of literary expression, and allows poetry to be so acutely both of its time and ahead of its time.

20 x 1hr sessions across both semesters as scheduled on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for honours entry into French and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

None

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Written reflection on creative interpretation (500 words) - 20%

■ Detailed essay plan (500 words) - 20%

■ Essay (2500 words) - 60%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the Written Reflection, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

■ There is no alternative to the Detailed Essay Plan, but extensions to the deadlines can

be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for

extensions).

■ There is no alternative to the Essay, but extensions to the deadlines can be offered as

reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ provide students with a clear understanding of the major formal and thematic developments within French poetry of the period since 1850 through the study of a selection of representative works;

■ introduce concepts key to the writing of poetry and critical concepts which enable reading;

■ investigate cultural context as well as theoretical debates about the function of poetry and its effects on the reader;

■ help students understand the capacity of poetry to augment the expressive capacity of language.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ express in writing a thorough knowledge of some major developments and debates in French poetry in the period under consideration;

■ analyse a wide range of different poems, showing an awareness of the different critical concepts relevant to the reading and writing of poetry;

■ take account of the shaping effects of cultural context on the composition of poetry;

■ discuss poetry's position within French culture and its continued relevance.