Module Identifier
FR29020
Module Title
THE MYTH OF PARIS
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Bruno M L Sibona
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
Eligibility for entry to Level 2 French

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 10 x 1-hour lectures
Seminars / Tutorials 10 x 1-hour seminars
Workload Breakdown Lecture and seminar attendance - 20 hours; lecture and seminar preparation (research and reading) - 135 hours; essay research and preparation - 45 hours.
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Continuous assessment: 2 x 1,500-2,000-word essay  40%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   examination (2 essay questions, equally weighted)  60%
Supplementary Exam 1 x 2 hour examination (2 x essay questions, equally weighted) if continuous assessment submitted. 1 x 3 hour examination (3 x essay questions, equally weighted) if no continuous assessment submitted.  100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Have a better grasp of French language and registers.
2. Develop and demonstrate analytical skills in French literary texts.
3. Develop a non stereotypical and spatial knowledge of Paris as a cultural capital.
4. Historically contextualise the representation of Paris as a cultural capital in relation to the construction of its myth.
5. Have an understanding of how this specific myth has been constructed in literary, political and aesthetic terms.
6. Relate and articulate the construction and the development of this myth to other literary myths.
7. Have a cultural awareness of its relevance to contemporary French issues and to Paris's image today.

Aims

The aim of this module is to prepare students both culturally and linguistically for their Year Abroad, by focusing on the development of the myth of Paris as an international capital of culture and arts. It also aims at increasing their analytical reading skills.

Brief description

This two-part module, taught in French, will introduce students respectively to the birth of the myth of Paris in 19thC. French literature, and to its multi-faceted explosion in 20thC. French literary texts. Through the combined study of short novels, poetry and films, students will explore and develop their understanding of the notion of literary myth.
This module will provide them with the critical tools to understand the concept of myth and to elaborate on the construction and development of other literary myths.

Content

Texts and films to be studied are:
Honore de BALZAC, "Ferragus" in L'Histoire des treize (Hatier, 2003); Charles BAUDELAIRE, Le Spleen de Paris (Hachette, Le Livre de Poche, 2003); Louis ARAGON, Le Paysan de Paris (Gallimard/Folio, 1972); Jean-Paul Fargue, le Pieton de Paris (Gallimard/l'Imaginaire, 1932-2005); Raymond QUENEAU, Zazie dans le metro (Gallimard/Folio, 1980); Some references to relevant French films will be made (Jean Delannoy, Notre Dame de Paris, 1956; Jacques Rivette, Paris nous appartient 1960);

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Possibly, evaluation of statistical data in the secondary reading.
Communication Oral communication developed in seminars; written communication developed in assessments and exam.
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be able to assess their own progress week by week through their increased understanding of the issues raised and the skills developed.
Information Technology Use of on-line journals and source collections; delivery of course materials and information via email and e-learning system.
Personal Development and Career planning Acquisition of transferable skills; in-depth acquaitance with literary/cultural studies as an academic subject.
Problem solving Selection of reading material; answering questions posed by written assessment; seminar work.
Research skills Preparation of written assessment; preparation for seminars.
Subject Specific Skills Acquisition of French linguistic skills.
Team work Debates and group presentations in seminars.

Reading List

Should Be Purchased
BALZAC (2003) Histoire des treize Pocket Primo search BAUDELAIRE (2003) Le Spleen de Paris Livre de Poche Primo search FARGUE, Léon-Paul (1993) Le Piéton de Paris Gallimard/L'Imaginaire Primo search QUENEAU, Raymond (1980) Zazie dans le métro Gallimard/Folio Primo search Essential Reading
REDA, Jacques (1993) Les Ruines de Paris Gallimard/nrf Primo search Recommended Text
ARAGON, Louis (1972) le Paysan de Paris Gallimard/Folio Primo search HUGO, Victor (2002) Notre-Dame de Paris Gallimard/Folio Primo search PRENDERGAST, Christophe (1992) Paris and the 19th century Blackwell Primo search Recommended Consultation
HUSSEY, Andrew (2006) Paris, The Secret History Penguin Viking Primo search RIFKIN, Adrian. (1993) Street noises, Parisian pleasures Manchester University Press, Primo search Reference Text
BENJAMIN, Walter (1999) The Arcades Project The Belknap Press, Harvard University Press Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5