Critical analysis of Texts: the French Language Theatre [ LROM1360 ]

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Detailed analysis of one or more dramatic works, notably by confronting some interpretations elaborated by specialists. This analysis leads to situate the text into the historical, social and cultural configuration in which it has been generated ; to isolate operating tools in order to analyse the dramatic gender ; to estimate the value and limits of the various methods and theoretical orientations in use.

Focalisation on the dramatic gender is not exclusive : in relation with the particular questions treated, works from other genders, or other arts, could also be taken in consideration.

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

- produce a relevant and illuminating analysis, with arguments, of a poetic text ;

- situate it on stylistic, aesthetical, historical and cultural levels ;

- evaluate the crossing between methodological tools and results ;

- write an analysis.

Written examination on the analysis of an unseen extract from one of the works from the programme, on the basis of topics covered in class and individual reading.

Lectures alternate with interactive sessions on extracts from the works being studied. Various pieces of homework are required during the semester which involve producing a dramatic analysis of an extract selected by the lecturer. This work forms the subject of both group and individual correction. 

Each text in the programme is considered from a 'how?' perspective (how to do it, how to tackle the text to make a university-level analysis?) and during the course different methodologies are employed. They fall into three categories : rhetorical (forms, processes, figures), scholarly (how is the text linked to the context ?) and anthropological (how does it transcend the context of its writing ?). The course enables students to assess the effectiveness and limits of each kind and also to see to what extent our analyses are determined by the tools and devices that we use.  Each of the texts in the programme is studied in this way, as the course is designed as an interpretative sequence which, starting from students' first intuitions, develops in a balanced way, each methodology being brought into use in the light of the shortcomings of the previous one.

A bibliography for the year's programme is available on iCampus.

Compulsory attendance and completion of homework.