116-032 Puzzles and Mazes: Experimental Writing

Formerly available as 116-279/379. Students who have completed 116-279 or 116-379 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

116-133 French I: Contemporary French B and 116-134 French I: Language in Context II or equivalent. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first-year European studies, see Prerequisites.

In this subject students will read a series of experimental literary texts in French, discovering the patterns and irregularities in their structure. An understanding of how these texts are put together will be applied in a series of writing exercises employing constraints similar to those discovered in the reading. Students also explore the poetic function of language through the systematic study of word play and come to appreciate the literary potential of spoken French. On completing the subject students should have an understanding of the historical relations between the prescribed texts and a sense of experimental possibilities as yet unexplored. The subject will be taught in French.

• develop skills in research through frequent and systematic use of the library and other information sources, the definition of areas of inquiry and familiarisation with research methods;

• be capable of critical thinking and analysis through required and recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by assessing the strength of arguments;

• be capable of thinking in theoretical and analytical terms through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences;

• develop understanding of social, political, historical and cultural contexts and international awareness/openness to the world through the contextualisation of judgements and knowledge, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and new aspects of French culture, and by formulating arguments;

• be capable of communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically - through essay and assignment writing, tutorial discussion and class presentations;

• develop skills in written communication through essay and assignment preparation and writing;

• develop skills in public speaking and confidence in self-expression through tutorial participation and class presentations;

• develop attention to detail through close reading and textual analysis, essay preparation and writing, and examination revision;

• develop skills in time management and planning through managing and organizing workloads for required and recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and revision for examinations.

One class paper in French equivalent to 1000 words 30% (due during the semester), one folio of writing exercises in French totalling 1600 words 35% (due during the examination period), one critical essay in French totalling 1400 words 35% (due during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.