French Culture I
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course it to provide the student with several instruments to face the study and the research of some of the aspects of the French contemporary culture. At first, the student will be given a historic and sociological overview of the suburbs from the end of the Second World War until nowadays. Afterwards, we will focus on the literary and artistic representation from the Eighties until the recent literary phenomenon of the "banlieue literature". We will start from the historical-political contextualization in order to analyze the cultural roots and concentrate on some aspects that have conditioned the evolution of those places.
Expected learning outcomes
During the lessons the student will develop his skills through texts and videos in French, as well as his communicative abilities throughout the presentation and discussion of written texts and multimedia productions. It will be encouraged a critical thinking thanks to discussions, debates and group work.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
TITLE: Ecology and resistance. Environmental imaginaries in the face of modernity in France and the French-speaking world (XXᵉ-XXIᵉ centuries)
Aim: To explore the intersections between literature, ecology and globalisation through literary texts and comics using an ecocritical approach.
This theme brings together ecological issues, postcolonial criticism and media representations, encouraging a cross-disciplinary reading of France and the French-speaking world.
Module 1: French literature - Technological conquest and ecological crises (20h)
Context: Modernisation, urbanisation and environmental criticism in contemporary France.
Literary texts :
1. Maylis de Kerangal, Naissance d'un pont (2010) , Paris, Gallimard, coll. Folio (also KINDLE)
2. Étienne Mauvigner, Le Tour du monde (2016), Paris, Minuit ddouble (also KINDLE)
Text review:
A. Ghosh, La grande cecità, NeriPozza, 2017 (or in English v.o.)
Module 2: Francophone literatures - Resource exploitation and resistance (20h)
Context: Postcolonialism, extractivism and climate justice in the Francophone space.
Literary texts:
1. In Koli Jean Bofane, Congo Inc. Le testament de Bismarck (2016), Paris, Babel (also KINDLE)
2. LAFERRIÈRE, Dany, Tout bouge autour de moi (2011), Paris, Grasset & Fasquelle, Le Livre de Poche (also KINDLE)
Critical text:
Zones à dire. Pour une écopoétique transculturelle. Dossier coordonné par Le Collectif ZoneZadir · Littérature 2021/1 N° 201. Armand Colin : en libre accès : https://zonezadir.hypotheses.org/dossier-ecopoetique-transculturelle.
Aim: To explore the intersections between literature, ecology and globalisation through literary texts and comics using an ecocritical approach.
This theme brings together ecological issues, postcolonial criticism and media representations, encouraging a cross-disciplinary reading of France and the French-speaking world.
Module 1: French literature - Technological conquest and ecological crises (20h)
Context: Modernisation, urbanisation and environmental criticism in contemporary France.
Literary texts :
1. Maylis de Kerangal, Naissance d'un pont (2010) , Paris, Gallimard, coll. Folio (also KINDLE)
2. Étienne Mauvigner, Le Tour du monde (2016), Paris, Minuit ddouble (also KINDLE)
Text review:
A. Ghosh, La grande cecità, NeriPozza, 2017 (or in English v.o.)
Module 2: Francophone literatures - Resource exploitation and resistance (20h)
Context: Postcolonialism, extractivism and climate justice in the Francophone space.
Literary texts:
1. In Koli Jean Bofane, Congo Inc. Le testament de Bismarck (2016), Paris, Babel (also KINDLE)
2. LAFERRIÈRE, Dany, Tout bouge autour de moi (2011), Paris, Grasset & Fasquelle, Le Livre de Poche (also KINDLE)
Critical text:
Zones à dire. Pour une écopoétique transculturelle. Dossier coordonné par Le Collectif ZoneZadir · Littérature 2021/1 N° 201. Armand Colin : en libre accès : https://zonezadir.hypotheses.org/dossier-ecopoetique-transculturelle.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the French language is mandatory. A general knowledge of XXth century history and the ability to grasp specific cultural themes and motifs through critical analysis tools is required.
Teaching methods
The course will not only be face-to-face but will also have a seminar-style interaction with learners.
Teaching Resources
Module 1:
Literary texts :
1. Maylis de Kerangal, Naissance d'un pont (2010) , Paris, Gallimard, coll. Folio (also KINDLE)
2. Étienne Mauvigner, Le Tour du monde (2016), Paris, Minuit double (also KINDLE)
Essay:
A. Ghosh, La grande cecità, NeriPozza, 2017 (or in English v.o.)
Module 2:
Literary texts:
1. In Koli Jean Bofane, Congo Inc. Le testament de Bismarck (2016), Paris, Babel (also KINDLE)
2. LAFERRIÈRE, Dany, Tout bouge autour de moi (2011), Paris, Grasset & Fasquelle, Le Livre de Poche (also KINDLE)
Critical text:
Zones à dire. Pour une écopoétique transculturelle. Dossier coordonné par Le Collectif ZoneZadir · Littérature 2021/1 N° 201. Armand Colin : en libre accès : https://zonezadir.hypotheses.org/dossier-ecopoetique-transculturelle.
Literary texts :
1. Maylis de Kerangal, Naissance d'un pont (2010) , Paris, Gallimard, coll. Folio (also KINDLE)
2. Étienne Mauvigner, Le Tour du monde (2016), Paris, Minuit double (also KINDLE)
Essay:
A. Ghosh, La grande cecità, NeriPozza, 2017 (or in English v.o.)
Module 2:
Literary texts:
1. In Koli Jean Bofane, Congo Inc. Le testament de Bismarck (2016), Paris, Babel (also KINDLE)
2. LAFERRIÈRE, Dany, Tout bouge autour de moi (2011), Paris, Grasset & Fasquelle, Le Livre de Poche (also KINDLE)
Critical text:
Zones à dire. Pour une écopoétique transculturelle. Dossier coordonné par Le Collectif ZoneZadir · Littérature 2021/1 N° 201. Armand Colin : en libre accès : https://zonezadir.hypotheses.org/dossier-ecopoetique-transculturelle.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination will be oral, in French, and consists of an interview to test the skills and knowledge acquired.
Professor(s)