Comparative Approach to French Literature of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Master's seminars
obligatory courses

The aim of the seminar is to prepare participants to independently write a thesis in accordance with formal and substantive requirements, as well as principles of intellectual property protection. During the classes, students will familiarize themselves with the most important theoretical and methodological texts dedicated to comparative studies, which will serve as a basis for comparative analyses of selected works of French literature from the 19th to the 21st century.

The aim of the seminar is to prepare participants to independently write a thesis in accordance with formal and substantive requirements, as well as with principles of intellectual property protection. In the classes, students will familiarize themselves with the most important theoretical and methodological texts dedicated to comparative studies, which will serve as a basis for comparative analyses of selected works of French literature from the 19th to the 21st century. Specifically, the following issues will be discussed: from what perspectives can the presence of certain recurring semantic elements in literature (motifs, themes, myths) be studied, how they function within the literary text, and what methods can be used to explore the relationships between literature, music, and painting. Students will also learn the general principles of writing a master's thesis, searching for source texts and critical studies, and compiling bibliographies and footnotes. At the end of the first year of the seminar, they will choose a topic for their master's thesis. The second year will be devoted to deepening their knowledge of selected comparative tools and drafting the thesis under the guidance of the teacher.

1. P. Brunel, C. Pichois, A.-M. Rousseau, Qu’est-ce que la littérature comparée, Paris, Armand Colin, 1983.

2. Y. Chevrel, La littérature comparée, Paris, PUF, (1989), 2009.

2. D.-H. Pageaux, La littérature générale et comparée, Paris, Armand Colin, 1994.

3. D. Souiller, La littérature comparée, Paris, PUF, 1997.

5. M.-C. Huet-Brichard, Littérature et mythe, Paris, 2001.

6. J.-L. Backès, Le Mythe dans les littératures d’Europe, Paris, Cerf, 2010.

7. Histoire de la littérature française du XIXe siècle, (dir. A. Vaillant, J.-P. Bertrand et Ph. Régnier), Rennes, Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2007 (https://books.openedition.org/pur/188088).

8. Histoire de la littérature française du XXe siècle, (dir. M. Touret), Rennes, Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2008 (https://books.openedition.org/pur/187840 et https://books.openedition.org/pur/187970).

Learning Outcomes: Upon completing the seminar, the student...

...knows and understands:

Basic comparative terms such as theme, motif, myth (K_W04; K_W05)

At an advanced level, the place and significance of literary studies in the system of sciences, and their subject-specific and methodological specifics (K_W01)

At an advanced level, grammatical, orthographic, lexical, semantic, phonological, and stylistic issues in the French language (K_W08)

...is able to:

Apply basic theoretical concepts in comparative studies during research planning (K_U01)

Use basic research skills in the field of comparative studies in research (K_U02)

Independently analyze the function of themes, motifs, and myths in texts using research tools offered by comparative studies (K_U02; K_U05; K_U06)

Prepare a written work in French, referencing the knowledge gained during the seminar (K_U06)

...is prepared to:

Critically evaluate their own knowledge and skills (K_K01)

Actively participate in French and Francophone culture, using various forms and media (K_K05)

Adhere to the basic principles of professional ethics and the rules concerning intellectual property protection and copyright law (K_K06)

Course Completion Requirements:

First year: active participation and knowledge of mandatory texts during classes, passing a quiz (scope: knowledge from classes and required readings), identification of a research topic for the thesis, preparation of a general work plan and preliminary bibliography.

Second year: active participation in classes, submission of the thesis on a topic related to the seminar program.

Two absences per semester are allowed.