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Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


PL30020: French national option F6: French autobiography

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 1
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 33%, ES 67%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take EU20009
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To promote an awareness of the motives of autobiography; to trace the evolution of autobiographical writing in France throughout the modern period and to examine ways in which writers have explored the themes of personal identity, memory, reality and imagination and the polarity between private and public history.

Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
* Describe the historical development of autobiographical writing in France;
* Explain the significance of evolving concepts of selfhood and the influence of such concepts on the role of the autobiographer;
* Demonstrate an awareness of the complex relationship between fictional and factual reality in autobiographical writing;
* Analyse the significance of memory in the creation of autobiographical truth;
* Analyse and differentiate the variety of strategies employed by autobiographical writers for the purposes of persuasion, justification, self-analysis.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit. Language skills are developed in this unit.

Content:
History of autobiography and theories of autobiography; theories of selfhood and identity; the power of memory, nature and culture in the development of personality, with reference to a range of texts reflecting the development of autobiographical writing in French, including, but not limited to: J-P. Sartre, Les Mots, S. de Beauvoir, Mémoires d'une jeune fille rangée, N. Sarraute, Enfance, G. Perec, W ou le souvenir d'enfance.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

PL30020 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA (hons) French and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB08 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB09 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Russian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB05 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and German) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB04 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB03 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Russian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB18 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Spanish) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.