Critical analysis of Texts: the French Language Theatre

Teacher(s)

Piret Pierre;

Language

French

Prerequisites

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Main themes

Detailed analysis of one or more dramatic works, notably by confronting some interpretations elaborated by specialists. This analysis leads to situate the text into the historical, social and cultural configuration in which it has been generated ; to isolate operating tools in order to analyse the dramatic gender ; to estimate the value and limits of the various methods and theoretical orientations in use.
Focalisation on the dramatic gender is not exclusive : in relation with the particular questions treated, works from other genders, or other arts, could also be taken in consideration.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1	At the end of the course, the student should be able to: - produce a relevant and illuminating analysis, with arguments, of a poetic text ; - situate it on stylistic, aesthetical, historical and cultural levels ; - evaluate the crossing between methodological tools and results ; - write an analysis.

Content

Each text in the programme is considered from a 'how?' perspective (how to do it, how to tackle the text to make a university-level analysis?) and during the course different methodologies are employed. They fall into three categories : rhetorical (forms, processes, figures), scholarly (how is the text linked to the context ?) and anthropological (how does it transcend the context of its writing ?). The course enables students to assess the effectiveness and limits of each kind and also to see to what extent our analyses are determined by the tools and devices that we use.  Each of the texts in the programme is studied in this way, as the course is designed as an interpretative sequence which, starting from students' first intuitions, develops in a balanced way, each methodology being brought into use in the light of the shortcomings of the previous one.

Teaching methods

1) The course combines lectures with interaction. The aim is to acquire a certain amount of knowledge, but even more so to acquire a methodology for analysis, which presupposes the active presence and participation of the students.
2) A few assignments are required during the four-month term, which consist of producing a dramaturgical analysis of an extract chosen (by the teacher). The assignment is corrected collectively and individually during the practical classes.
3) The practical classes help students to make their own analysis of the works on the programme, help them to prepare their assignments and provide feedback on the corrections made to these assignments (formative assessment).

Evaluation methods

Written examination on the analysis of an unseen extract from one of the works from the programme, on the basis of topics covered in class and individual reading.

Other information

Compulsory attendance and completion of homework.

Bibliography

Une bibliographie établie en fonction du programme de l'année est déposée sur moodle.

Faculty or entity

> ELAL