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FR30280

Academic Year 2026/2027

Diderot: Creative Iconoclast (FR30280)

Subject:
French
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Síofra Pierse
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Denis Diderot (1713-84), key inventive figure behind the vast French Enlightenment project 'L'Encyclopedie', was one of the most radical and original writers of 18th-century France. However, this philosophe's ground-breaking works -mainly published posthumously- were composed in a unique pre-revolutionary literary climate when censorship prevailed, silencing innovative, offensive and subversive writings. Typically, his texts play with ideas, voice, satire, narrative, actors/spectators, art, music, and the reader; they challenge contemporary norms of genre and register; they fuse narrative and philosophical ideas; they stretch the rules of aesthetics and morals. In this module, students engage in close reading and literary analysis of a number of Diderot's key prose texts across different genres (e.g. a choice from: novel/ satire/ philosophical dialogue/ short story), while situating them within the challenging contemporary Enlightenment and pre-revolutionary literary world.

NB: Given the complexity of their publishing history, it is ESSENTIAL that students purchase the three set texts in the correct prescribed edition (see International Books or BrightSpace info or contact the convenor for futher details).

**An ability to read French with ease is core to success in this module**

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

- read (in French) and discuss a number of Diderot's key 18th-century narratives
- situate the set texts within Enlightenment/ pre-revolutionary contexts
- engage critically with Diderot's literary innovations in narrative and genre
- conduct successful, well-organised close literary analysis on textual excerpts (critical analysis)
- synthesise their study of Diderot's narratives into a coherent and well-structured essay

Indicative Module Content:

Probable curriculum will include a selection of some of the following Diderot texts:

-Novel (La Religieuse; le Neveu de Rameau; other/s) - including film adaptation e.g. of La Religieuse or Jacques le fataliste
-Contes (Ceci n'est pas un conte; Histoire de Mme de la Pommeraye & film adaptation; other/s)
-Philosophical pieces (Pensées philosophiques; Supplément au Voyage de Bougainville; other)

Check with module convenor for selected core set texts for next year

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Expert

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Expert

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Proficient

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Proficient

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Proficient

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Proficient

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

11
Specified Learning Activities

38
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures (weekly): supported by online materials and tasks

Seminars (weekly): small-group teaching that hones in on details/short excerpts via task-based learning, peer debate and analysis, critical analysis assignments

Group work: active development within peer group of critical analysis skills (core literary skill); critical discussion

Reflective learning: students are invited to step out of the text to respond to short extracts/ images and/ or to draft plans/ proposed approaches to their critical analysis assignments

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Assignment: Midterm Critical Analysis on designated extract taken from core text (s).
 Week 7 Graded No
40
 No
Exam (In-person): End of trimester written exam which will be essay or critical analysis (check with Module Convenor) End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
60
 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
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring 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?

Following your midterm critical analysis, you will get pointers around the key elements, which may involve an audio file via BrightSpace.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
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