Critical Analysis of Texts: Poetry in French [ LROM1160 ]

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How is poetry different from other forms of literary expression such as novels, plays or essays? This question, which will bring students into contact with the main critiques of poetry, is the main theme in the study of poetic texts in French from the XVIth century to the present day. The course thus provides students with the necessary components to construct a critical interpretation of a poetic text, making use of formal aspects (study of verse and fixed forms, awareness of figures of style), thematic aspects (highlighting the most common issues in poetry) and historical aspects (development of poetic expression through literary history).

Practical classes (Exercises) are linked to this course to provide further practice.

By the end of this course, students will have acquired knowledge of poetic literature and expertise in how literary texts can be analysed. They will gain knowledge of a wide range of poetic work and the ability to use the language of literary analysis (particularly figures of style), together with an awareness of the place of poetry in literature.  They will acquire expertise in how to analyse a poetic text in a logical, relevant and innovative way, to produce a critical interpretation.  The combination of this knowledge and expertise will enable students  to independently undertake a literary analysis built on the relationship between internal examination of texts and awareness of their context (collection, aesthetic trends, artistic, historical and cultural context).

For the June examinations, assessment is as follows:'
1) Continuous assessment (10 points) :'analytical readings of poems from the compulsory list. The progression between the first two readings is assessed for 1 point ; the third reading is assessed for 8 points.'portfolios : the progression between two portfolios of all the exercises completed in the practical sessions is assessed for 1 point.'
2) Assessment in the June examinations (10 points) : 2h written examination.'
- a theoretical issue relating to an aspect covered in the lectures (5 points)
- a question about one of the authors of the compulsory reading list  (5 points).'
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For the September examinations, assessment is as follows : 2h + 4h30 written examination.'
-    an analytical reading of a poem from the compulsory list (8 points).
-    a theoretical issue relating to an aspect covered in the lectures (5 points)
-    a question about one of the authors of the compulsory reading list  (5 points).'
-    in addition, there are two points for continuous assessment during the semester: the progression between the first two analytical readings (1 point) and the progression between the two portfolios (1 point).

Continuous assessment schedule :'Analytical readings'
1st test'Preparatory work and drafting of introduction to analytical reading, done at home 'Topic given at the end of Week 6, handed in at the beginning of Week 7 and handed back in Week 8.'Assessment : mark'
2nd test'Complete analytical reading, done in a classroom in 4 hours 30 minutes'Test done on the Saturday of Week 9 or Week 10, handed back at the beginning of Week 11 or Week 12.'Assessment : mark + 1 point for progression between Tests 1 and 2'
3rd test'Complete analytical reading, done in a classroom in 4 hours 30 minutes'Test done on the Saturday of Week 14, possibility of return  during the June examinations'Assessment: 8 points'
Portfolios for methodology and development of analytical reading'
Portfolio 1 : methodology'Learning pathway on iCampus + conclusions:'Continuous development during the sessions with group correction, handing in all of Part 1at the beginning of Week 7, handed back in Week 8.'Assessment : mark'
Portfolio 2 : development of analytical reading'4 complete analytical readings of poems from practical sessions 7, 8 and 9 + a choice from the collection  + conclusions'
Continuous development during the sessions with group correction, pre-submission in Week 10 of the analytical reading in session 9, Peer review by students during the Easter break, submission of all of Portfolio at the end of Week 14, possibility of  return during the June examinations'Assessment : mark  + 1 point for progression between portfolios 1 and 2

The formal lectures, given by Professor Damien Zanone, are linked to the practical exercise sessions organised by Mrs Estelle Mathey and Mrs Florie Steyaert, his assistants.  There are 14 lectures, 10 practical sessions and 7 optional tutorial sessions. Please note : attendance at the practical sessions is compulsory. Students will be penalised in their continuous assessment for any unexcused absence and/or failure to submit work for the practical sessions

Lectures : see Topics Covered'
Practical exercises :'
- Methodology of  textual analysis.'Session 1 : Literary texts'Session 2 : Literary analysis'Session 3 : Analytical reading ' synthesis stage'Session 4 : Analytical reading ' planning stage'Session 5 : Analytical reading 'introduction stage'
- Development of textual analysis.'Session 6 : Analytical reading 'Development and Conclusion stage'- Development of textual analysis 'Session 7 : Joint compilation of an analytical reading'Session 8 : Joint compilation of an analytical reading'Session 9 : Joint compilation of an analytical reading'Session 10 : Presentation of an analytical reading by students

Compulsory reading list
NB : these collections of poetry, with the exception of the one by Francis Ponge, are available on the Wikisource website  (http://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Wikisource:Accueil).
' La Fontaine, Jean de : Fables, Livres I à III, éd. J.-Ch. Darmon, Le Livre de Poche, 2002 [1668].
' Baudelaire, Charles : Les Fleurs du mal, éd. J. E. Jackson, Le Livre de Poche, 1999 [1857].
' Apollinaire, Guillaume : Alcools, Paris, Poésie/Gallimard [1913].
' Ponge, Francis : Le Parti pris des choses, Paris, Poésie/Gallimard [1942].
+ for students in ROM and LAFR : a collection chosen in the list proposed by the teachers, communicated on the site icampus of the course.
+ for students in ROGE : two collections chosen in the list proposed by the teachers, communicated on the site icampus of the course.

Critical tools
' compulsory : le Dictionnaire de poétique de Michèle Aquien (Paris, Le Livre de Poche, 1993).
' recommended : La Poésie. Textes choisis et présentés par Hugues Marchal (Paris, GF-Corpus, 2007) ; le Dictionnaire de la mythologie grecque et romaine de Pierre Grimal (Paris, Presses Universitaires de France, 1999, 14e édition) ; le Dictionnaire des symboles. Mythes, rêves, coutumes, gestes, formes, figures, couleurs, nombres de Jean Chevalier et Alain Gheerbrant (Paris, Robert Laffont, 1997, édition revue et augmentée).

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