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FREN3371: Libertinage in Ancien Regime France

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Type Open
Level 3
Credits 20
Availability Not available in 2023/24
Module Cap 30
Location Durham
Department Modern Languages and Cultures (French)

Prerequisites

  • French Language 2 (FREN2051) OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

  • Modern Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programme: French Language 4 (FREN3041). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce students to libertinage, a key element of culture an art in the French ancient regime.
  • To examine representations of the libertine in the novel and theatre.
  • To consider what critical perspectives are appropriate when analysing the depiction of sexual pleasure.

Content

  • The following primary texts will be studied: Molire, Dom Juan; Diderot, Les Bijous indiscrets; Boyer d'Argens, Thrse philosophe, Laclos, Les Liaisons dangereuses; Deslisle de Sales, Thtre damour; Sade, Les Malheurs de la vertu

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • knowledge of significant French texts
  • knowledge of a crucial period in French history and a key cultural element in that period
  • knowledge of approaches to analysing texts depicting sexual pleasure, considering such questions as whether pornography can be treated as art and what depictions of sexual behaviour tell us about the society in which they were created

Subject-specific Skills:

  • development of critical skills - close reading of primary texts
  • ability to relate texts judiciously to overarching themes
  • ability to analyse imaginatively and rigorously relationships between literature, history and society
  • ability to critique secondary material

Key Skills:

  • critical and analytical
  • essay-writing and commentary
  • structuring of arguments
  • independent learning

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • 2 essays: 1 at 2,000 words, one at 3,000 words
  • Students will be asked to select a context area on which to give a group seminar presentation, which will form the basis of one of the summative essays.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures20weekly1 hour20Yes
Seminars10fortnightly1 hour10Yes
Reading & Preparation170 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Essay 1Component Weighting: 40%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Essay 12,000 words100No
Component: Essay 2Component Weighting: 60%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Essay 23,000 words100No

Formative Assessment

none

More information

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