Learning outcomes

The spirit of the place: the role of landscape and memory in Francophone literature from Belgium, Switzerland and the Indian Ocean.



Course Objectives
This course is an introduction to Francophone literature and its specific features in different countries, both in Europe (Belgium, Switzerland) and outside Europe (Mauritius). Special attention is given to linguistic and stylistic features, recurring themes in selected authors, and the literary portrait of the authors' countries of origin, in their relations with France and the rest of the world. The final part of this course will also introduce the notion of "migrant authors", showing some meaningful examples. Lessons are held in French, having the additional goal to enhance students' language proficiency.

Program

Bibliography



I. Belgium
Alexis Curvers Tempo di Roma, Labor, 1991

François Emmanuel, Le tueur mélancolique, Labor, 1999

A selection of poems wil be given during the lessons.



II. Switzerland
Maurice Chappaz, Portrait des valaisans. En légende et en vérité, Genève, Slatkine, 1997

Jacques Chessex, Portrait des vaudois, Actes Sud/Labor/L’Aire, 1982 (ou autres éditions)

A selection of poems wil be given during the lessons.



III. Indian Ocean

Alain Gordon-Gentil, Quartiers de Pamplemousses, Paris, Julliard, 1999

Amal Sewtohul, Made in Mauritius, Paris, Gallimard «Continents Noirs», 2012

A selection of poems wil be given during the lessons.



IV. Migrant Authors

A selection of texts wil be given during the lessons.



Critical bibliography

Denise Brahimi, Langue et littérature francophones, Paris, Ellipses, 2001

Dominique Combe, Littératures francophones, Paris, PUF, 2012

Dominique Combe, Poétiques francophones, Paris, Hachette, 1995

Gorceix, P., Littérature Francophone de Belgique et de Suisse, Paris, Ellipses, 2000

François Walter, La Suisse au-delà du paysage, Gallimard «Découvertes», 2011

Catherine Gravet (dir.), Tempo di Roma, Actes du Colloque organisé à l’Academia Belgica du 17 au 19 septembre 2007 à l’occasion du cinquantenaire du roman d’Alexis Curvers, in «Cahiers internationaux de symbolisme», numéro spécial 2008

Anne Marie Jaton, Jacques Chessex. La Lumière de l’obscur, Genève, Éditions Zoé, 2001

Jérôme Meizoz, Un lieu de parole: notes sur quelques écrivains du Valais romand (XXe siècle), Saint-Maurice, Pillet, 2000

AA. VV., La littérature mauricienne de langue française, «Francofonia», 48, primavera 2005

AA.VV., L’Océan Indien dans les littératures francophones. Pays réels, pays rêvés, pays révélés, Paris, Éditions Karthala, Presses de l’Université de Maurice, 2001

Rosanna Gorris Camos, “Venus d'ailleurs”: Agota Kristof et les autres, in Le goût du roman, a cura di Matteo Majorano, Bari, Graphis, 2002, pp. 198-228

Rosanna Gorris Camos, La neige et le lotus ou l’écriture de l’exil, in Venus d’ailleurs. Écrire l’exil en français. Atti della V giornata della Frrancofonia, Verona, marzo 2010, a cura di R. Gorris, con la collaborazione di L. Colombo e Paola Perazzolo , Publifarum, n. 17 , 2012 [online]



With the exception of the novels, students are invited to attend classes before purchasing these materials. Students not attending classes must contact the instructor to determine an alternative programme.

Examination Methods

Oral exam.