Wagner in France (U04127)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : LLC-4-U04127

The course will examine the influence of Wagner on the work of some of the most prominent writers in France in the second half of the nineteenth century. Students will be introduced to Wagner’s ideas, in the first instance, through his so-called “Lettre sur la musique”, written in 1860 for a French audience as an introduction to the translation into French prose of four of his opera libretti. The reception, interpretation and eventual transposition of some of these ideas will then be explored through detailed analytical readings of the set texts.
As is entirely appropriate, in a course where the writers under scrutiny were themselves musically untrained, the option requires no prior musical knowledge. Students will however be encouraged to listen to Wagner’s music (in particular the prelude to Lohengrin, parts of Tannhäuser and Parsifal) and to consider their reactions to it in light of the works they read.

? Keywords : Wagner Wagnerism

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Pass in French 2 Entry to Honours in French

? Costs : Purchase of primary texts

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 : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Tutorial	Tuesday	11:10	13:00	Central

? Additional Class Information : This course will be taught either in semester 1 (blocks 1 and 2) or in semester 2 (blocks 3 and 4). The class session time given above is provisional; its timetable slot should be determined by DELC to optimise choice for students.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Intended learning outcomes specific to this course are:

- an understanding of developments in the relationship between music and literature in the post-romantic era in France.
- an understanding of the relationship between the musical interests and perceptions of the writers whose work is being studied and the literature they produced.
- an ability to analyse texts in which the possibility of transposing modes of thought from music into literature is extensively explored
- a recognition of the extent to which the complexity of the works studied is a product of a concept of interdisciplinary influence.

By the end of the course, students will be expected to show the ability:
• to demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the subject;
• to recognise and acknowledge the complexity of the subject;
• to show a good understanding of, and apply competently, complex conceptual frameworks;
• to construct coherent arguments which demonstrate an awareness of the problems posed by the texts and issues which they are studying;
• to demonstrate a high level of expression in both written and oral presentations;
• to demonstrate the mastery of relevant technical terminology and research methods;
• to offer alternative perspectives, identify and accommodate ambiguities and show an awareness of nuance;
• to develop original ideas;
• to demonstrate an awareness of the research agenda relating to the topic.