Music in French literature, 1840-1900 (French Special Subject) (U02661)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LLC-4-U02661

The course centres on the way that French literature in this period obsessively defined itself by reference to music. Why did it do so? Why did the literature-music analogy become so all-pervasive? What, really, concretely, are the properties that music and literature at the time could have in common? These questions, which are at the heart of one of the most vital debates in literary and musicological theory today, will be examined through close study of literary works in which the music-literature analogy is clear. It will involve the acquisition of some technical understanding of French versification. (There is no intention to study the way that literature is presented by the musicians of the time.)

? Keywords : French music literature

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Admission to French Honours; completion of French 3 Honours.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

European Languages and Cultures - French, (School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures, Schedule G)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 22 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Wednesday	11:10	13:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

-As in all French Special Subjects, students will learn to present exposis, and to conduct debates in French at a high intellectual level, orally and in writing.
-Students will acquire an understanding of the dynamics of French verse in the postromantic period, of the reasons for its evolution and impending dissolution.
-Students will have assimilated the main features of the complex and subtle theoretical debate concerning the mutually defining relationship between music and literature as it evolved in the 19th century and has been taken up by modern critical theory.
-Students will acquire a broad knowledge of the relevant literature of the period, then develop their own interests, engaging in independent research to produce a dissertation on an agreed topic relating to the courses main theme.