Narratology [ LCOMU1313 ]

The course is designed to:

• understand the role and influence of Narrative on society and in the communication process. It aims at defining the essence and evolution of Narrative as a means of structuring social imaginary through myth, literature and mass media.
• cast a critical eye on the various theories and methodologies specific to Narrative's analysis, from a productive and a receptive point of view;
• understand how the evolution of media channels and frameworks has altered the structure of Narrative and called for a rethink of its modes of analysis.

By the end of the course, students should :

• be fully familiar with the main theories of Narrative's analysis, methodological and conceptual tools ;
• develop cross-sectional understanding : from traditional narratology to the analysis of narrative media productions
  * continuity and evolution of narrativity (myth, literature, media narratives),
  * specificities of narratives in the field of media,
  * evolution of methodological tools, * contribution and limits of Narrative's theories,
• be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of authors and theories;
• be able to demonstrate the acquisition of founding principles of narratology through exercises on defined communication tools.

Written exam (2 hours).
The exam focuses on the cross-sectional knowledge of learning outcomes, their contextualization and use on communicational tools.

The lecture is based on Pr. M. Lits's book « Du récit au récit médiatique » (De Boeck, 2008) and on various teaching resources ' downloadable on Icampus : text excerpts, examples, keys for a better understanding. A power point summarizing the main points of the lecture and various examples is projected at each session.
Lectures are divided into four parts:
- theoretical framing;
- case studies split into media and communication fields;
- critical analysis;
- cross-sectional understanding.

- A range of narrative theories will be introduced from the viewpoint of the specifically communicational approach they offer. - The conditions pertaining to narrative production and reception will be analysed: narrative is viewed as a special means of structuring the social universe. - The course also functions as a critical introduction to the main methods of narrative analysis and some specific concepts (the media figure, temporality, focalisation) Course format: Lectures and case-studies

Prerequisite: COMU 1121 General Semiotics COMU 1221 Semio-pragmatics Evaluation: Students will be evaluated both on their understanding of the theoretical issues discussed in the course and on their ability to use the analytical tools and apply them critically to specific media objects relevant to their own subject options. Course materials: Course handout and model case studies Supervision: Lectures and integrated case studies