Learning objectives

In accordance with the periodization adopted in our French literature courses (first year: from 1850 to today; second year: Eighteenth century and first half of the Nineteenth century; third year: Sixteenth and Seventeenth centuries), this course introduces to French literature from 1850 to today, with in-depth analysis of some aspects, authors and works, in order to develop critical competences concerning various literary genres. As for the Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities, the historical insights and critical perspectives offered by this course are useful tools for the comparative study of French literature in the European context. At the end of the course, students shall therefore acquire overall knowledge of the history of French literature from 1850 to today (main literary movements, authors and works), along with critical competences and the ability of applying them to the comparative analysis of texts belonging to different literary genres. This course is divided in two parts because students attending the Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities achieve 6 credits (part 1 of the course), whereas students attending the Bachelor’s degrees in Foreign Languages and Literatures and in Languages and Literatures for Publishing and Digital Media achieve 9 credits (part 1 and 2 of the course, the second part being conceived as the completion of the first).

Prerequisites and basic notions

Both highly recommended, the achievement of the linguistic certification and the passing of the French language 1 exam are not mandatory to access the exam.

Program

Part 1
An outline of the history of French literature from 1850 to the Second World War with in-depth analysis of some emblematic aspects, authors and works, and a critical introduction to the study of texts belonging to different literary genres:
a. poetry, from Baudelaire to early XXth-Century avant-garde movements;
b. narrative prose, from Flaubert to World War II (texts by Flaubert, Maupassant, Villiers de l'Isle-Adam, Proust, Colette, and Radiguet).
Literary history: Ida Merello, Breve storia della letteratura francese, Torino Einaudi, 2023.
The full-length reading of one literary work in French, among those presented during the course, is compulsory.
A detailed program with bibliographical information, as well as a selection of literary and critical texts, will be given at the beginning and during the course and will be uploaded to the teaching Moodle platform.
The course, as well as the final oral exam, are in Italian. All texts (literary excerpts and extended readings) must be in French. Only students attending the course which pertains to the Department of Cultures and Civilizations (Lettere) may read the chosen work in the Italian translation.
Part 2
An outline of contemporary French literature from World War II to today, with particular regard to narrative prose and drama (texts by Camus, Genet, Perec, Modiano, Sales, Rosenthal, Ernaux, and Guène).
Literary hisory: Ida Merello, Breve storia della letteratura francese, Torino, Einuadi, 2023.
The reading of one entire literary work in French, among those presented during the course, is compulsory.
A detailed program with bibliographical information, as well as a selection of literary and critical texts, will be given at the beginning and during the course and will be uploaded to the teaching Moodle platform.
The course and the final oral exam are in Italian. All texts (literary excerpts and extended readings) must be in French.
Students unable to attend the course and Erasmus students are invited to contact the teacher.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

In-person lessons.
The supporting teaching materials will be uploaded to the teaching Moodle platform. The teacher is available via email or during office hours. Finally, the Department's page will advertise support and tutoring activities for inclusion and accessibility (from November 2024 to June 2025), with particular regard to French, English, Russian, Spanish and German Language and Literature.

Learning assessment procedures

Oral interview on the scheduled topics and texts.

Evaluation criteria

The following are assessed: completeness of knowledge, precision and clarity of presentation, expressive reading in French, mastery of anthological texts and complete readings, as well as the ability to develop a critical argument on the subject.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade is given for about 2/3 by the knowledge related to the first part of the program, for 1/3 by the knowledge related to the second part of the program.

Exam language

Italiano