UCL - Issues in medieval literary history

[ROM2221]

[22.5h] 5 credits

Teacher(s): Mattia Cavagna(coord.), Colette Storms

Language: French

Level: Second

Aims
Main themes
Content and teaching methods
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Aims

To carry-out an in-depth study of a work or of several works related to ancient and/or middle french literary production, in order to refine the students' critical analysis skills and to acquaint them with a broad range of critical approaches to specific themes.

Main themes

As an echo to the thematic approach of the ROM 2221 course, an in-depth analysis of one or several works on a given theme is here tackled.

Content and teaching methods

Organized in a series of lectures, this year's seminar is devoted to travel literature. Rather than classifying texts in predetermined literary categories, we will underscore their complexity through close analysis of a series of extracts and critical examination of some recent publications. Following the introductory lesson, the course will be structured in a typological perspective and will focus on the traditions of the journey to the Otherworld, the quest, the pilgrimage, and travels to the Far East.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites:
- a good knowledge of the basics of Old and Middle French ;
- familiarity with basic notions of literary analysis and genres ;
- successful completion of an introductory course on medieval French literature.

Assessment:
Oral exam. In addition to showing first-hand knowledge of all required readings, students must demonstrate their ability to analyze a literary text and to frame their approach in a meaningful context that takes into account problems and aspects explored in class.

Course Materials:
A bibliography and a selection of texts are available from the beginning of the course. Supplementary documents will be made available on iCampus in the course of the semester.