116-032 Puzzles and Mazes: Experimental Writing

116-133 French I: Language B. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first year European studies.

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.

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

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

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

• 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;

• Communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically: through essay and assignment writing, tutorial discussion and class presentations;

• Public speaking and confidence in self-expression: through tutorial participation and class presentations;

• Written communication: through essay and assignment preparation and writing;

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

• 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 through the University of Melbourne Bookshop

• Oulipo, Atlas de littérature potentielle. Folio.
• Raymond Queneau, Le Chiendent. Folio.