Contemporary Europe has evolved from a number of European nations and national identities. This course looks at the place of narrative in its literary and visual forms in the European tradition. The course examines literary narratives by major writers of the Twentieth Century, including Michel Tournier, Thomas Mann and Italo Calvino. Aspects of social engagement and of narrative technique will be emphasised. The group of texts will enable students to see elements of European literature in the process of evolving from a focus on social realism to symbolism and a post-modernist emphasis on the narrative process. Reading bricks of additional prescribed primary and selected secondary sources will be provided.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and competence to discuss a variety of European narrative texts (literary and visual) in their ‘national' context, cross-culturally and across media. Through individual (in target language) and group (in English) comparison of primary and secondary texts, students will compare differences in the evolution of narrative technique, primarily in European literature, but also in cinema and art. Finally, students will demonstrate mastery of subject matter, including critical terminology (in target languages) and apply information, concepts and theories to illustrate and analyze aspects of European narrative from a national perspective as well as a broader European and global context.

Essay(s) (totalling max. 4000 words (min. 70%), tutorial presentation and tute/seminar participation (max. 30%)

Two and a half hours a week (one 1-hour lecture in English, one 1-hour tutorial in the target language, one fortnightly 1-hour seminar in English)

One of the following: Intermediate French 2 FREN3007, Intermediate German 2 GERM2106, Intermediate Italian Studies 1 ITAL2007, any two English courses, or permission from the Convener of the relevant major.

CMEL3001 Contemporary European Narratives: Literary and Visual

* Calvino, Italo, Se una notte d'inverno un viaggiatore
* Mann, Thomas, Mario und der Zauberer,
* Tournier, Michel, Le roi des Aulnes

or else translations of the above works into the target language. For English majors, that will mean If on a Winter's Night a Traveller; Mario and the Magician; The Ogre.
* Two reading bricks, (at least) one in the target language

* Calvino, Italo, Se una notte d'inverno un viaggiatore

* Mann, Thomas, Mario und der Zauberer,
* Tournier, Michel, Le roi des Aulnes

(or else translations of the above works into the target language)
* Two reading bricks, one in the target language