Aims

Understand what is at stake in a definition of a book as a social object, both in the social and economical sense of the term.
The course works on the assumption that books are "twofold realities, goods and meanings" .It deals with concepts and data necessary for the analysis of the market of cultural goods, the literary field, its functioning and main actors, as well as the situation of the book (children's literature and comic strips) in French-speaking Belgium.

Main themes

The first part of the course (chapters I, II, and III) introduces the students to the key concepts of the sociology of the book and analyses the functioning of the literary field (constitution and contemporary practices). The second part (chapter IV) offers a diachronic and a synchronic study of the book in French-speaking Belgium, based on the theories presented in the first part. The third part (chapter V) applies this theoretical background to the sociological study of children's literature (illustrated books, novels, and comic strips).

Method: ex-cathedra course, with case studies that presents the book as a vehicle of varied values and practices.

Content and teaching methods

Issue of the sociology of the book industry, including books for children. Based on the principle that books are "two-sided realities, commodities and meanings", the first part of this course introduces a series of concepts and data needed to analyze the market of cultural goods, the literary field, its functioning and main actors. A second part is devoted to the book industry and to reading in the french-speaking part of Belgium. Finally, in the third part, the changes appearing in the field of children's literature, as well as the tools needed to analyze this field, are discussed (the comic strip will not be neglected).

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisites : no prerequisites.
Assessment : oral exam.
Course materials : outline, booklet with set texts, and bibliography.

Programmes in which this activity is taught

Other credits in programs