FR30040 Literature of Quebec

Academic Year 2022/2023

The module will focus on the birth and development of Quebec literature during the years of the Quiet Revolution (1960s) and beyond. It will examine how this literature has come to reflect and celebrate the specificity of a vibrant and ever-changing francophone culture rooted in the vast American continent. Contesting various literary models and values emanating from metropolitan France, this writing can be associated with a new self-awareness as it comes to terms with, and refuses to remain subservient to, its colonial past. Through the study of three different genres (a novel, a play and an anthology of poetry), literary production will be situated within a defined historical, geographical and social context, and will be seen at once to mirror and challenge this context as writers in Quebec come to terms with issues of identity and difference in an increasingly urbanized and cosmopolitan environment.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: Analyse the set texts in relation to the specificity of their cultural context; Discuss the broad issues of identity and language raised by Quebec writers; Articulate and critique the concept of francophone literature from a postcolonial perspective; Negotiate three distinct literary genres.

Indicative Module Content:

Students will be introduced to the literature of Quebec through study of a novel by Jacques Godbout, a play by Michel Tremblay and a poetry anthology privileging the work of Gaston Miron.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Small group work
Student presentations

It is envisaged that contact hours will be conducted partly in the physical and partly in the virtual classroom, and will be directed by the university timetable. It will be possible to participate fully online if required and students who are unable to attend physical classes will be fully supported in their learning. All students are expected to engage fully with online classes as scheduled in the timetable. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

In this module, students are expected to read advanced literary texts in French. A good knowledge of French is thus required.

Learning Recommendations:

This module presupposes that students have passed Level-Two French language module FR20040 or attained an equivalent standard of language competence (CEFR Level B1). If in doubt, they should contact the module coordinator.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
FR20020 - French Language II a, FR20040 - French Language II b


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: Critical analysis of a prescribed extract Week 7 n/a Graded No

40
Examination: End of trimester examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
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
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Mid-term critical analysis submitted in Week 7; individual assignment feedback (written) in Week 10 and group in-class feedback in Week 10; final assessment: end-of-module essay

Jacques Godbout, Salut Galarneau ! Seuil, 1967
Michel Tremblay, Les Belles-Sœurs, Leméac / Sud, 2007
Poetry Anthology (provided through coordinator)