Humans towards the Living - French and French-language Literature (20th-21st century) 3304-1DZ3O-SL-038
Contemporary discussions on the future of the Planet and the living beings that inhabit it, including humans, taking place in scientific and political circles, as well as in the broader public space, also touch the cultural sphere. Literature has always been a place where, like through the lens, reflections and emotions, human desires and fears are reflected. It has been and continues to be a place where the imagination is a force: critical, causal and restorative. In our seminar, we will explore the most interesting examples of ecologically sensitive texts, which means texts that consider the presence/absence of humans in a community of living beings. We will reflect on representations of nature, on human and non-human attitudes and characters, on the subjectivity of humans and non-humans, we will look for ways in which literature tries to overcome the opposition between nature and culture or human and animal, and how it imagines our future (post- and transhumanist fictions). In our work, we will draw on theoretical texts from the broader environmental humanities to help us read literary works. Our attention will focus on contemporary texts written after 1980, but there will also be room for a bit of reflection on precursor works by Jean Giono, Maurice Genevoix or Romain Gary. Among the authors who will be the focus of our readings will be: Élisabeth Ferney, Véronique Bergen, Christine Van Acker, Céline Minard, Camille Brunel, Sylvain Tesson, Marie Darrieussecq and Antoine Wauters.
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge - The graduate knows and understands:
K_W01 to an advanced degree the place and importance of the humanities, in particular literary studies and linguistics, in the system of sciences and their subject and methodological specificities
K_W02 in an advanced degree the terminology of general and French literary and linguistic studies
K_W04 in an advanced degree the directions and methodology of research on language and literature, especially in the countries of the French-speaking cultural area
K_W13 basic notions and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright
Skills - The graduate is able to:
K_U01 apply basic theoretical concepts specific to general and French linguistics and literary studies during research planning
K_U02 apply in research basic research skills, including analysis of research problems, formulation of hypotheses, selection of research methods and tools as well as elaboration and presentation of results while preparing their own papers in the field of linguistics and literary studies
K_U03 recognise, analyse and interpret various types of cultural output (language, literature), using adequate terminology and appropriate research methods and tools
K_U04 present own views, referring to various sources and basic theoretical approaches, and argue the adopted point of view
K_U05 plan and prepare oral presentations in French and Polish, referring to basic theoretical approaches relevant to linguistics and literary studies
K_U06 prepare a written paper, in French and Polish, referring to basic theoretical approaches typical of linguistics and literary studies
K_U07 communicate orally and in writing in French at level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
K_U09 acquire knowledge and develop skills independently, using a variety of sources
Social competences - the graduate is ready to:
K_K01 critically evaluate their own knowledge and skills
K_K02 be open-minded towards individual and cultural differences
K_K06 comply with the basic rules of professional ethics and the rules concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright
Assessment criteria
- attendance in class is required; more than two absences will result in an additional question on the test or an oral answer
- activity in class and preparation for classes (reading texts, worksheets, presentations, flipped lessons, spontaneous contributions)
- written analysis (end of winter semester), 2 tests (one in each semester - factual knowledge + knowledge of the readings)
- a prerequisite for successful completion of the year-long course is submission of a bachelor's thesis
Detailed conditions for passing the course will be presented by the instructor at the first class or will be sent via the USOS.
Bibliography
Among others:
Bailly, J.-Ch., Le parti pris des animaux, Christian Bourgois Éd., 2013.
Bailly, J.-Ch., Le versant animal, Montrouge, 2018.
Collot, M., Un nouveau sentiment de la nature, Corti, 2022.
Lestel, D., L'animal singulier, Seuil, 2004.
Morizot B., Manières d’être vivant, Actes Sud, 2020.
Schoentjes, P., Ce qui a lieu. Essai d’écopoétique, Wildproject, 2015.
Schoentjes, P., Littérature et écologie. Le Mur des abeilles, Corti, 2020.
Simon A., Une bêtre entre les lignes. Essai de zoopoétique, Wildproject, 2020.
A detailed list of literary works to be analysed will be presented in the first class.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: