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FR20160

Academic Year 2026/2027

The Realist Novel (FR20160)

Subject:
French
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Stephen Schwartz
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module focuses on the literary movement known as Realism, examining in depth major works by Honoré de Balzac and Gustave Flaubert. Close attention will be paid to the set texts with emphasis also given to their sociological inspiration and philosophical implications. Topics to be discussed may include the relation between individual and society, Realism as formalism, Realism as social critique, Realism as subversive writing, authenticity and selfhood. The module is also intended to extend the skills of essay writing developed in Level-One modules in French literature.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: read the set texts in an informed and critical way; discuss the set texts with reference to their general cultural context and philosophical implications; demonstrate a broad understanding of Realism; analyse the set texts in essay form.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

38
Autonomous Student Learning

48
Lectures

12
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, reflection, small-group discussion, close reading.

AI Not Permitted
The use of AI tools (including but not limited to: Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot) is not permitted in this module. Students
are expected to engage directly with module materials and activities without the use
of AI tools.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
FR10020 - French Language I b, FR10070 - French Grammar & Expression

Incompatibles:
FR20070 - C19 French Literature II


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): 2-hour exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
65
 No
Exam (Open Book): In-class exam on Balzac's "La Maison du Chat-qui-pelote." Week 8 Graded No
35
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Seminar Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
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