Masterpieces of French Literature and Culture: From the Enlightenment to Postmodernity (Level 5)

About this course

The course explores how literary masterpieces are defined, considering their influence, genre conventions and relationship to works from other periods. Selected texts from the sixteenth century to the present are studied in historical context, with comparisons to earlier and later writing where relevant. The selection covers poetry, drama and fiction, providing both a broad survey and focused study of key works. Teaching and assessment are in English, although titles presented in French are studied in French.

What you'll learn

• Evaluate different criteria for identifying a literary masterpiece.
• Analyse poetry, drama and fiction in their historical contexts.
• Relate individual works to earlier and later French literature.
• Examine how literary works follow, adapt or challenge genre conventions.

Is this course right for you?

The course is listed as suitable for learners at all levels. It involves sustained literary study, with two essays and a three-hour examination as the assessment, and is taught in English while French titles are studied in French.

• Assessment includes two 1,500-word essays.
• The course concludes with a three-hour examination.
• French titles are studied in French, while teaching and assessment are in English.