Ateneo - UPO

Renaissance French Literature, Philology, and Linguistics. This course, consisting of the modules “Advanced French Literature B” and “Advanced French Linguistics B,” aims to provide students with the tools for the linguistic and literary analysis—within a historical and philological framework—of poetic and dramatic texts from the French Renaissance.

For the French Literature B course, students are required to study the book by Charles Mazouer, Le théâtre français de la Renaissance, 2nd edition, Paris, Champion, 2013, as well as the materials available via the DIR platform.
For the French Linguistics B course, students are required to study the book by Mirelle Huchon, Histoire de la langue française, Paris, Librairie Générale française (“Le Livre de Poche”), 2002, or a more recent edition, chapters I–V; the book by Gabriel Audisio and Isabelle Rambaud, Lire le français d’hier, Paris, Armand Colin, 2023, Part I; and the supplementary documents and materials that are provided on the DIR platform. For a more in-depth study of linguistics and philology, we also recommend consulting the following volumes: Sabine Lardon and Marie-Claire Thomine, Grammaire française de la Renaissance. Étude morphosyntaxique, Paris, Classiques Garnier, 2009; Yvonne Cazal and Gabriella Parussa, Introduction à l’histoire de l’orthographe, Paris, Armand Colin, 2022 (2nd edition).

The main objectives of the course are to provide students with a basic understanding of the historical and cultural context of 16th-century France and an in-depth knowledge of the language and theater of the period (particularly with regard to the practices of rewriting and imitating classical models). The course aims to refine students’ abilities in reading, linguistic and literary contextualization, and critical analysis of texts, also through the development of skills in paleography, material bibliography, and philology—all of which are essential for the study of documents and texts produced during the French Renaissance.
The Literature module’s classes will be conducted with continuous interaction; on the other hand, the Linguistics module’s classes will be half lecture-based and half interactive. Overall, the lecture hours will correspond to 2.4 CFU (1.2 + 1.2) of the 12 CFU total for the integrated course (6 + 6); the remaining 9.8 CFU (4.8 + 4.8) will be devoted to independent study and preparation.

Possessing a B2 language proficiency level (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

The Literature module’s classes will be conducted with continuous interaction; on the other hand, the Linguistics module’s classes will be half lecture-based and half interactive. Overall, the lecture hours will correspond to 2.4 CFU (1.2 + 1.2) of the 12 CFU total for the integrated course (6 + 6); the remaining 9.8 CFU (4.8 + 4.8) will be devoted to independent study and preparation.

The DIR platform will provide texts presented in class and supplementary documentation. If you have any questions regarding the course programme (for both attending and non-attending students), teaching materials, lecture content or the conduct of the examination, please contact the lecturer. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via reference office 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.

For the evaluation of the integrated course, the grades from the two modules (Literature and Linguistics) that compose it will equally and collegially be taken into account. For full details regarding the conduct of the two exams (one for the Literature module and one for the Linguistics module), please refer to the Syllabus for each course. Please note that, for both exams, students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), and Special Educational Needs (SEN) will be provided with dedicated tools and services.
For the literature module (graded on a 30-point scale), the examination will consist of: (1) a question on the main themes of French literature of the 16th century. The student will have to demonstrate that he/she is familiar with the fundamental literary issues of the 16th century. (2) A question on the main authors examined during the course. The student will have to know the themes and the cultural and literary paths concerning the literary reworkings of classical theatre and the birth of modern French tragedy and will have to be able to elaborate a discourse on the main authors analyzed during the course. (3) The evaluation of the seminar work that the student will develop in the second part of the course (a guided text analysis). The student will have to demonstrate the ability to place the chosen texts in their historical/literary context and to identify the peculiar themes of the authors in each text analyzed. In order to obtain a pass, the student must demonstrate a solid knowledge of French literature concerning the literary reworkings of classical theatre and the birth of modern French tragedy. 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 particular characteristics in relation to the century to which they belong. In order to achieve excellence, students will have to be able to independently elaborate comparisons between the authors studied and to develop a coherent critical discourse that takes into account the evolution of French literature, the literary reworking of classical theatre and the birth of modern French tragedy. They must also demonstrate that they have read the texts in depth and are able to make connections between the authors and between the texts, highlighting common elements and differences.
For the linguistics module (graded on a 30-point scale), the examination will consist of an oral test lasting approximately 30 minutes in total, structured into three parts: (1) Two historical-linguistic and/or theoretical questions on topics covered in class and/or included in the mandatory bibliography. (2) A historical-linguistic and philological commentary on a text or a series of texts analyzed during lectures. (3) A historical-linguistic and philological commentary on a text or a series of texts not analyzed during lectures. The final grade will be calculated by adding the scores obtained in parts (1), (2) and (3). To pass the exam (18-23/30), students must demonstrate a sufficient mastery of the core historical-linguistic, philological, and theoretical concepts illustrated during the course, as well as a satisfactory ability to understand and place the assigned exam texts into a historical-linguistic perspective. To achieve a higher evaluation (24-27/30), students must show broader knowledge of historical-linguistic, philological, and theoretical concepts, along with enhanced skills in the historical-linguistic analysis of texts. To achieve excellence (28-30/30), students must demonstrate a confident mastery of every aspect of the syllabus and the ability to fully understand, appropriately contextualize, and analyze the assigned exam texts in depth. Cum laude (honors) will be awarded to students who perform a flawless analysis of the texts.

The Literature module will begin with an overview of the tragic genre within its relevant historical-cultural and literary context, and will then outline the main stages in the emergence and evolution of French tragedy. It will then highlight the key themes related to the reinterpretation of classical theater and the development of the canons of the French tragic genre, also through an in-depth presentation of authors and texts. The Linguistics module will open with an overview of the distinctive features of the history of language—both internal and external—during the Renaissance. It will also cover concepts of paleography and material bibliography, which are essential for the study of 16th-century manuscripts and printed texts that have not been the subject of modern editions. The presentation of historical-linguistic and theoretical elements will be accompanied and supported by the reading, translation, and historical-linguistic and philological commentary on documents and literary texts. Part of the course will be dedicated to the edition of short literary texts from the 15th and 16th centuries, analyzing the linguistic variants found in the 16th- and 17th-century printed tradition.

The core learning outcomes are a solid general knowledge of 16th-century French language and literature, situated within their historical and cultural context; an understanding of the fundamental linguistic and literary issues related to the poetic and theatrical works of the period, particularly as they relate to the reinterpretation of classical texts; the ability to contextualize, from a linguistic and literary perspective, the texts analyzed during the course or assigned for individual study. Students are also expected to clearly present the topics covered, placing texts and authors appropriately within their historical, linguistic, and literary contexts. The advanced learning outcomes include the ability to independently connect authors and texts in light of the topics and issues addressed during the course, demonstrating the ability to read texts from a critical perspective and to apply the tools of historical-linguistic and philological analysis acquired during the course.