Ateneo - UPO

An introduction to French culture through travel literature. The course is structured according to the following axes of study and reflection. First part: 1) Historical, historiographical and literary background; 2) Analysis of some aspects of French culture through the example of travel literature; 3) Study of the authors of the course; 4) Classification of works. In the second part of the course (seminar) students will be an active part in textual analysis. The texts will be different for the students of the course of French Culture (master LM49) and French Literature.

For a general overview: - O. Gannier, La littérature de voyage, Paris, Ellipses, 2016. The texts for the seminar part will be indicated during the course and on the DIR website.

The course aims to enable students to get to know at least some aspects of French culture and its relations with other cultures through travel literature. A more advanced objective is to be able to identify common elements and differences between authors, texts and cultural paths linked to French-language travel literature.

The main objectives are:
1) Knowledge of French history and culture;
2) Study and study of the authors of the course;
3) Reading, framing and drafting of texts.

- Knowledge of the French language.
- Basic knowledge of the most relevant problems and issues in French culture and literature.

Lectures.
Text analysis.
Translation.
Continuous interaction.
A part of the course will take place in seminar mode.

Gender issues will receive special attention whenever possible.

The course is aimed at students of French Literature (III year) and those of French Culture (master LM49). The programme will be diversified. Other informations will be provided during the course.
Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

In addition to continuous interaction through direct student participation, the examination will consist of:
1) a question on the main themes of French-language travel literature. The student will have to demonstrate that he/she is familiar with the fundamental problems and issues of the travel literature genre and can identify how it has evolved over the centuries.
2) in a question on the main authors examined during the course. The student will have to know the themes and the cultural and literary paths that have developed in France within travel literature and will have to be able to elaborate a discourse on the main authors analyzed during the course, framing them in the cultural and historiographical context of reference.
3) Evaluation of the seminar work that the student will develop in the second part of the course. It will consist of a guided analysis of some texts, in order to demonstrate their effective reading and comprehension. The student will have to demonstrate the ability to place the chosen texts in their historical/cultural context and to identify the peculiar themes of the authors.

In order to obtain a pass, the student must demonstrate a solid knowledge of French culture in relation to travel literature. They will have to know the authors and the fundamental themes, in relation to the literary genre of reference, and will have to demonstrate that they have read the texts and understood their specific characteristics in relation to the century to which they belong.
In order to achieve excellence, students must be able to independently elaborate comparisons between the authors studied and develop a coherent critical discourse that takes into account the evolution of French culture through travel literature. They will also have to demonstrate that they have read the texts in depth and are able to make connections between authors and between texts, highlighting common elements and differences.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SDA) and Special Educational Needs (SHD) will be provided with dedicated tools and services.

The analysis of the texts will start with an overview of the literary genre of travel literature. It will then highlight the main themes linked to French culture present in the works dealt with. Particular attention will be paid to the historical, social and cultural context.
The program is structured as follows
- Week 1 and 2: Historical background and contextualization of the main themes linked to travel literature;
- Weeks 3 to 5: detailed presentation of the authors covered by the course and outline of their works.
- Weeks six to eight: seminar part in which students will develop and present some textual analyses.

To achieve the basic skills, the following are required:
1) Knowledge:
- General knowledge of the history of travel literature in the French language.
- Knowledge of the problems and fundamental questions linked to French culture with reference to the theme of travel and the relationship with other cultures.
- Specific knowledge of some authors who have written travel reports in French.
2) Competences:
- Knowing how to frame the most important themes, authors and issues linked to French culture in the context of travel literature.
- Ability to synthesize (framing of texts, identification of specific themes, comparisons between the texts analyzed during the course).

3) Transversal skills:
- To be able to explain with clarity of argument the topics dealt with.
- To be able to present the authors and place them in their historical/literary context.
- To be able to read and analyze the texts, grasping the most important themes and argumentative nuclei.

For the achievement of a more advanced level, the student should demonstrate to:
- Be able to make connections between authors and between themes within the same historical/cultural context.
- To be able to autonomously elaborate a thematic path that can be developed in chronological order.
- To be able to grasp the most profound aspects of French culture in relation to other cultures with which they have come into contact thanks to their travels.
- To be able to read the texts in a critical perspective, developing comparisons and being able to identify points of contact and difference between the various authors.