Aims

To be able to problematize the relationship between the phenomenon of literature and the notion of genre by referring to the main definitions and approaches advanced in the course of critique.
To master the main elements allowing for the analysis of a poetical, narrative, or theatrical text, and to master the basic strategies for analyzing works from other genres of writing in future courses.
To master a reading strategy that is informed by literary theory.

Main themes

a) The lecture course begins by addressing the main modern definitions of literature and then briefly retraces the history of the problem of literary genres. We could, for instance, emphasize an analysis of narratives: we would then focus on the elements composing the diegesis (plot, characters, space, time), the narrative (attitudes of the narrator, narrative time), the narrative genres (epic, short-story, novella, novel, etc.), and narrative types (realism, the marvelous, the fantastic, the detective story, etc.). In short, we shall examine the many possible ways in which one can read a literary text.
b) The tutorial sessions: these are for the students to read literary theory texts with rigor, as well as to prepare for the final examination. The texts chosen will serve to deepen the students' understanding of the lecture course as well as to complement it and offer ways for students to continue their research beyond the lecture course.

Content and teaching methods

a) First, the magistral lessons will opposite several modern conceptions of the notion of literature and of the act of reading. On a second time, it will introduce to the problematic of the literary genres. Finally, it will analyse the constitutive elements of the dramatic text, of the poetic text and of the narrative text.
b) The exercises, which will be organized in specialized groups (GERM / GLOR / ROM), will train the students to read with accuracy texts of literary theory, which will be chosen in order to emphasize the contents of the magistral lessons, as a complement or as an opening related to these lessons.

Other credits in programs