Theory of Literature

The course instruction comprises two sections, one after the other: a theoretical course (15 2-hour sessions) and sessions for small group exercises (5 1-and-a-half-hour sessions).

a) The theoretical course will begin by tackling the principal modern definitions of literature and by briefly retracing the history of the issue of literary genres. It will then analyse the constituent elements of dramatic, poetic and narrative texts. Emphasis will be placed, for example, upon the analysis of stories: we will, in turn, concentrate upon the components of diegesis (plot, characters, space, time), narration (narrative mode and tense) and composition of texts around the narrative genres (epic, story, novella, novel,...) and the worlds in the story (realism, fairy tales, fantasy, detective stories,...). Finally, using examples, we will review possible methods for a literary reading process.

b) The purpose of the exercise sessions, which will preferably be organised in groups of around 15 students according to their disciplines (GERM / GLOR / ROM), will be to require students to read literary theory texts thoroughly, as well as to prepare for the requirements of the exam. Grouping the students by discipline will allow priority to be given to reading texts in the students' specialist languages (i.e. English, Dutch or German for the Germanists, Greek or Latin for the classicists) and tackle the issues which the instructors in that discipline wish to give priority to. The texts will be chosen both in order to look at the content of the theoretical course more deeply, and also by way of a complement or introduction as regards that course.