History of French literature: The Middle Ages and 16th century 3300-HLF-MSF-2-ZP
The aim of this lecture is to familiarise students with key literary phenomena of the French Middle Ages and Renaissance, presented in the light of contemporary research and with a focus on the specificity of the early literature. The course is introductory and problem-based, with an emphasis on developing a critical perspective on the texts under discussion and an emphasis on understanding their function within a given cultural context. In addition to discussing key genres, authors, and aesthetic concepts, special attention is paid to the relation between literature and a number of phenomena: society, the status of the author, the role of oral transmission, the evolution of forms and themes, and the transition from scholasticism to humanism. These phenomena are not treated statically, but rather presented in their historical dynamics.
The classes discuss the following topics:
- Chansons de geste: chivalric epic and ideals of chivalry and royalty;
- Troubadour and trouvère poetry: southern and northern France;
- Courtly love and the “Breton Matter”: Tristan und Isolde, Lais Marie de France;
- Arthurian romance: Chrétien de Troyes;
- 15th-century poets: Christine de Pizan, Charles d’Orléans, François Villon;
- Renaissance and Humanism: basic concepts and contexts;
- Trends in the poetry of the 16th century: the Great Rhetoricians, Clément Marot, the Lyon School (Maurice Scève, Louise Labé);
- La Pléiade: Joachim Du Bellay, Pierre de Ronsard;
- Renaissance Prose: François Rabelais, Marguerite de Navarre;
- The essay as a new genre – Michel de Montaigne's Essays.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
K_W02 The student has a structured knowledge and understanding of the history of French literature of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance; of literary phenomena and their multifaceted influence on the development of literary theories.
K_W03 The student has knowledge and understanding of the specialist terminology, methodology, subject, and research trends which are characteristic of French literary studies.
K_W08 The student has the knowledge and understanding of the multifaceted relations of French literature to historic and cultural processes.
K_W09 The student has the advanced knowledge and understanding of selected events of French history till the 16th c., and important aspects and features of its culture.
Assessment criteria
The teaching method is a lecture with elements of a guided discussion, based on textual and iconographic materials provided by the lecturer. The aim of this approach is to engage students and encourage in-depth reflection on the topics discussed.
The final grade is based on two components:
- two final tests (quizzes) administered during the semester, each accounting for 45% of the final grade,
- preparation for classes and ongoing participation in classes, which account for 10% of the final grade.
Regular attendance is required; a maximum of two absences per semester is permitted, regardless of the reason. A higher number of absences may result in failing the course.
Bibliography
1. P.-Y. Badel, Introduction à la vie littéraire du Moyen Age, Paris, 1969;
2. D. Poirion, Précis de littérature française du Moyen Age, Paris, 1983;
3. M. Zink, Introduction à la littérature française du Moyen Age, Paris, 1993;
4. M. Bideaux, A. Tournon, H. Moreau, Histoire de la littérature française du XVIe siècle, Nathan, 1991.
5. Brunel, Y. Bellenger, D. Couty, Ph. Sellier, M. Truffet, Histoire de la littérature française, Bordas, 1972.
6. J. Cornette, Chronique de la France moderne. Le XVIe siècle, SEDES, Paris, 1995.
8. M.-L. Demonet-Launay, XVIe siècle, 1460-1610, Bordas, 1987.
9. A. Jouanna, La France du XVIe siècle, PUF, Paris, 1996.
10. A. Jouanna, J. Boucher, D. Biloghi. G. Le Thiec, La France de la Renaissance. Histoire et dictionnaire des guerres de religion, Robert Laffont, Paris, 1998.
11. A. Jouanna, P. Hamon, D. Biloghi. G. Le Thiec, La France de la Renaissance. Histoire et dictionnaire, Robert Laffont, Paris, 2001.
12. Littérature française, coll. de poche, Arthaud, 1984.
13. D. Ménager, Introduction à la vie littéraire du XVIe s., Dunod, 1997.
14. F. Lestringant, J. Rieu, A. Tarrete, Littérature française du XVIe siècle, "Premier cycle ", PUF, Paris, 2000.
15. Précis de littérature française du XVIe s., sous la dir. de R. Aulotte, PUF, 1991.
16. Philippe Desan, Montaigne. Penser le social, Odile Jacob, Paris, 2018.
17. Philippe Desan, Montaigne. Une biographie politique, Odile Jacob, Paris, 2014.
18. Jean-Marie Le Gall, Défense et illustration de la Renaissance, PUF, Paris, 2018
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: