Module Identifier FR31820  
Module Title REPRESENTATIONS OF BRITTANY  
Academic Year 2001/2002  
Co-ordinator Dr Heather Williams  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Mrs Margaret Parry, Mr Adriano Vincentelli  
Course delivery Lecture   10 Hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   10 Hours  
Assessment Continuous assessment   Two essays of 2000 words each   40%  
  Exam   2 Hours   60%  

Brief description


This module examines the way Brittany is, and has been, 'represented', or even 'constructed' in French culture. We will explore different literary representations of Brittany through analysis of texts ranging in date from 1828 to 1975, and in genre from the Realist novel to symbolist poetry and 'bande dessinee'. The module approaches France as a set of diverse cultural and linguistic identities, questions the hegemony of the French language, and the notion of a literary canon and introduces the theoretical framework of post-colonialism. More specifically the module focuses on contrasting examples of literature that seek to represent, explain, describe or chronicle a 'region' of France.

Learning outcomes


On completion of this module, students will be able to critically contrast different literary representations of Brittany, and show an awareness to the relevance of the theoretical frameworks explored.

Content


Weekly lectures will provide the necessary historical (and literary-historical) background, and seminars will concentrate on the close analysis of 'representations' of Brittany.

Reading Lists

Books
** Essential Reading
Balzac, Honore de. (1998) Les Chouans. Pocket
Corbiere, Tristan. (1973) Les Amours jaunes. Gallimard
Flaubert, Gustave. Par les champs et par les greves. (extracts)
Helias, Pierre-Jakez. (1975) Le Cheval d'orgueil. Plon
Renan, Ernest. (1992) Souvenirs d'enfance et de jeunesse. Pocket
Villiers de l'Isle-Adam. 'L' Intersigne in Contes cruels.