Literature and Consumerism in 19th- and 20th- Century French Literature (U03614)

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

This option will explore the representation of our present-day consumer society in literature. Through close analysis of the chosen texts, the course aims to develop students understanding of the dynamics driving consumerism. It will also be considered how literature has risen to the challenge posed by consumerism, turning it into a source of inspiration and technical innovation. The course will introduce students to a series of novelists, philosophers, cultural historians and sociologists. The aim is to promote an awareness of the place of culture and the individual in mass consumer society and to assess how literature has responded and adapted to and even delighted in something that might have signalled its demise

? Keywords : Consumerism
19th and 20th century French literature

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Honours Entry

? Costs : no

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 10 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	09:00	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
As in all French options, students should, by the end of the course, be able:
to demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the chosen specialism
to recognise and acknowledge the complexity of the subject
to show a good understanding of and apply competently complex contextual frameworks
to construct coherent arguments which demonstrate an awareness of the problems posed by the text/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 carry out personal research under the guidance of the tutor and offer evidence of research initiative
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.

More specifically, they should be able to show:
A good understanding of the challenge posed by consumerism to traditional literary practice.
A good understanding of the ways in which the consumerism operates and indeed governs 20th century and present-day society, calling for a renegotiation of the relationship between the individual and the world.
A good understanding of the technical and stylistic innovations in literature occasioned by consumerism.