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2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FREN3835 Surrealism to Slam. Modern French Poetry and Protest

20 creditsClass Size: 12

Module manager: Dr Andy Stafford
Email: a.j.stafford@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Ability to study a module taught in French, usually evidenced by having successfully completed level 2 of a degree programme including French.

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This course will study, in historical order, the developments in French post-war poetry in relation to all forms of protest. Beginning with the split in second-wave Surrealism, between the typographical innovators of the 'Lettriste' movement on the one hand and the new, body-oriented avant-garde on the other, the course traces these divisions from the 1950s into and across the radical 1960s. Here we compare and contrast the French grouping around the journal Tel Quel with counterparts in Morocco. Finally, we will consider the recent trend in French music and in cafe slam towards 'performance' poetry. In all cases we will be looking at the political, social and intellectual contexts of each of the movements, especially in relation to place of publication (journals mainly) and to contemporary performance culture. Students will be introduced to a range of different approaches to poetry, including aspects of modern poetics and literary theory, including a presentation on a relevant journal or poetry periodical. The course will be taught in French and assessed in French and in English. This course derives from Dr Andy Stafford's wider research on the 'forme brève' (short form) in French, on post-war intellectual history in France, and on the modern French periodical.

Objectives

- To analyse poetry and relate it to notions of protest in France and the wider francophone world
- To place poetic movements within their social, political and intellectual context
- To analyse the various outlets in which poetry is both published and performed (journals, music, slam cafes)
- To have a general knowledge of poetry criticism and modern literary theory

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate:
- specialist knowledge of post-war poetic movements in France and in francophone regions
- specialist knowledge of poetry 'culture' in France, including research techniques in relation to poetry journals and periodicals
- advanced critical analysis of poems, including writing a commentary
- the ability to use written and oral communication effectively
- the capacity for independent thought and judgement; critical reasoning

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students should have developed
- Advanced-level skills in poetic and political analysis, in relation to the texts and contexts of the poetry studied;
- The ability to evaluate a variety of literary critical theories in relation to poetics;
- Advanced-level written and oral skills in French in the language of intellectual analysis, debate, and formal presentation;
- Research skills, especially in relation to journals and to poetry-performance culture (including the rap and slam music industry).


Syllabus

Poetry and rap music for detailed study:
- Francis Ponge, Le parti pris des choses, 1948
- Bernard Noël, Extraits du corps, 1954-1970
- Abdellatif Laâbi, L'oeil et la nuit, 1969
- Marcelin Pleynet, Stanze, 1973
- MC Solaar, Qui sème le vent, récolte le tempo (cd), 1991
- Abd del Malek Dante (cd), 2009

Programme of study
- Weeks 1: Introduction to key concepts, poetics and cultural history
- Weeks 2-3: Surrealism after WWII
- Weeks 4-5: 1945-1967 - Lettrisme v. Ecriture du corps
- Weeks 6-7: 1968-1981 - Tel Quel and Moroccan 'violence du texte'
- Weeks 8-9: 1981-2011 - From Rap to Slam
- Week 10: Exam/revision strategy; essay and commentary technique

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Seminar102.0020.00
Private study hours180.00
Total Contact hours20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Students will need to read/view all the texts on the syllabus, as well as a selection of secondary texts (historical and critical) from the reading list. They will devote time to preparing seminar themes each week, and will give one group seminar-presentation.
Seminar preparation: 50 hours
Seminar presentation: 15 hours
Exam preparation: 115 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students must give one presentation in French in groups of 2 or 3 on a journal, periodical, or context of performance for any one particular poetry movement. Though not assessed, students are required to complete this aspect of the course. There is also an assessed commentary (written in English, and submitted in week 8), of a poem chosen by the students.

To prepare for the examination, consisting of one question in English and one in French, there will be group discussion of sample questions, and the opportunity to submit draft exam-answer plans for written feedback. There will also be a practice commentary. Verbal comments will be given following student presentations, the materials for which will be placed on the VLE.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
PresentationIn small groups, in French0.00
AssignmentTake home exam: 2,500 words34.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)34.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Open Book exam2 hr 00 mins66.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)66.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 02/03/2018 17:22:50

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