This class explores major voices from 19th Century French literature, discussing literary style, themes, and key contexts as a way of developing responses to celebrated French writers. From Hugo and Flaubert to Baudelaire and Verlaine, come discover French prose and poetry produced between the Revolution and the Great War.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This in-college, eight-week literature course offers a rich encounter with works of 19th century French literature. It treats classic texts in detail and allows students to study a range of political, cultural, and literary contexts and their role in shaping the work of various writers from the canon of French writing.
All texts studied are in English translations.
What will we cover?
Focusing on influential works by major authors, the course will cover key texts of 19th century French literary culture.
François-René de Chateaubriand, René (1802)
Victor Hugo, The Last Day of a Condemned Man (1829)
Honoré de Balzac, Selected Short Stories (1830s)
Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary (1857)
Charles Baudelaire, Selected Poems
Louise Michel, Poetry and the Paris Commune
Paul Verlaine, Selected Poems
Electronic copies will be provided by the tutor. All texts are also available (to buy or borrow) in paperback in both the original French and in translation through established publishers such as Gallimard, Penguin, Vintage, Oxford and Norton.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Students will develop their general literary, historical, and critical knowledge of French writing and culture through varied reading on modern French literature.
Students will develop understanding of specific 19th century French texts and authors in detail, acquiring a knowledge of specific literary, historical, philosophical, and political contexts for modern French literature.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No previous knowledge or experience of literature is necessary. However, learners will, ideally, need the following skills and attributes:
- An enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in large and small groups.
- A willingness and ability to do some reading and preparation outside the class. You will be expected to read the selected texts for each session.
- An interest in, and ability to listen to, the responses of other students to the work discussed.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The class will be held in 2-hour sessions over 8 weeks. The first 30 minutes will be an interactive lecture on the text, writer, themes, and contexts. The remaining time will be a round table and small group discussion of the texts in detail.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students should buy or borrow a copy of each week’s text. Where available, electronic copies will be emailed by the tutor.
François-René de Chateaubriand, René (1802)
Victor Hugo, The Last Day of a Condemned Man (1829)
Honoré de Balzac, Selected Short Stories (1830s)
Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary (1857)
Charles Baudelaire, Selected Poems
Louise Michel, Poetry and the Paris Commune
Paul Verlaine, Selected Poems
Electronic copies will be provided by the tutor. All texts are also available (to buy or borrow) in paperback in both the original French and in translation through established publishers such as Gallimard, Penguin, Vintage, Oxford and Norton.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Literature courses on our website under Culture, History and Humanities/Literature at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Richard Niland has published widely on Joseph Conrad and a range of other 19th and 20th century writers. He taught for many years at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and is interested in the various intersections of literature, culture, politics, music and film in different global contexts.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/19th-century-french-literary-classics266738119th Century French Literary Classicshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/get-together-and-read-hlt137-1080.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction22851177118711881228511771187<p>This class explores major voices from 19th Century French literature, discussing literary style, themes, and key contexts as a way of developing responses to celebrated French writers. From Hugo and Flaubert to Baudelaire and Verlaine, come discover French prose and poetry produced between the Revolution and the Great War.</p><p> </p>00307396619th Century French Literary Classics239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/get-together-and-read-hlt137-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-15T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHLT29323923919th Century French Literary Classics191155239Richard Niland19th-century-french-literary-classics/hlt293-2627<p>This class explores major voices from 19th Century French literature, discussing literary style, themes, and key contexts as a way of developing responses to celebrated French writers. From Hugo and Flaubert to Baudelaire and Verlaine, come discover French prose and poetry produced between the Revolution and the Great War.</p><p> </p>0000-Available|2027-01-15 00:00:00<p>This in-college, eight-week literature course offers a rich encounter with works of 19th century French literature. It treats classic texts in detail and allows students to study a range of political, cultural, and literary contexts and their role in shaping the work of various writers from the canon of French writing. </p><p>All texts studied are in English translations.</p><p> </p><p>This class explores major voices from 19th Century French literature, discussing literary style, themes, and key contexts as a way of developing responses to celebrated French writers. From Hugo and Flaubert to Baudelaire and Verlaine, come discover French prose and poetry produced between the Revolution and the Great War.</p><p> </p><p>Focusing on influential works by major authors, the course will cover key texts of 19th century French literary culture.</p><ul><li>François-René de Chateaubriand, <em>René</em> (1802)</li><li>Victor Hugo, <em>The Last Day of a Condemned Man</em> (1829)</li><li>Honoré de Balzac, Selected Short Stories (1830s)</li><li>Gustave Flaubert, <em>Madame Bovary </em>(1857)</li><li>Charles Baudelaire, Selected Poems<em> </em></li><li>Louise Michel, Poetry and the Paris Commune</li><li>Paul Verlaine, Selected Poems</li></ul><p>Electronic copies will be provided by the tutor. All texts are also available (to buy or borrow) in paperback in both the original French and in translation through established publishers such as Gallimard, Penguin, Vintage, Oxford and Norton.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Students will develop their general literary, historical, and critical knowledge of French writing and culture through varied reading on modern French literature. </li><li>Students will develop understanding of specific 19th century French texts and authors in detail, acquiring a knowledge of specific literary, historical, philosophical, and political contexts for modern French literature.</li></ul><p>No previous knowledge or experience of literature is necessary. However, learners will, ideally, need the following skills and attributes:</p><p>- An enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in large and small groups.</p><p>- A willingness and ability to do some reading and preparation outside the class. You will be expected to read the selected texts for each session.</p><p>- An interest in, and ability to listen to, the responses of other students to the work discussed.</p><p>The class will be held in 2-hour sessions over 8 weeks. The first 30 minutes will be an interactive lecture on the text, writer, themes, and contexts. The remaining time will be a round table and small group discussion of the texts in detail.</p><p>Students should buy or borrow a copy of each week’s text. Where available, electronic copies will be emailed by the tutor.</p><ul><li>François-René de Chateaubriand, <em>René</em> (1802)</li><li>Victor Hugo, <em>The Last Day of a Condemned Man</em> (1829)</li><li>Honoré de Balzac, Selected Short Stories (1830s)</li><li>Gustave Flaubert, <em>Madame Bovary </em>(1857)</li><li>Charles Baudelaire, Selected Poems<em> </em></li><li>Louise Michel, Poetry and the Paris Commune</li><li>Paul Verlaine, Selected Poems</li></ul><p>Electronic copies will be provided by the tutor. All texts are also available (to buy or borrow) in paperback in both the original French and in translation through established publishers such as Gallimard, Penguin, Vintage, Oxford and Norton.</p><p>Look for other Literature courses on our website under Culture, History and Humanities/Literature at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureFictionvirtual191239155HLT293NONEFri15/01/27 - 05/03/2710:30 - 12:3010:3012:308 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetRichard NilandBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-15T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Culture, history & humanities23923919th Century French Literary Classics19th-century-french-literary-classics/hlt293-2627<p>This class explores major voices from 19th Century French literature, discussing literary style, themes, and key contexts as a way of developing responses to celebrated French writers. From Hugo and Flaubert to Baudelaire and Verlaine, come discover French prose and poetry produced between the Revolution and the Great War.</p><p> </p>0000-Available|2027-01-15 00:00:00<p>This in-college, eight-week literature course offers a rich encounter with works of 19th century French literature. It treats classic texts in detail and allows students to study a range of political, cultural, and literary contexts and their role in shaping the work of various writers from the canon of French writing. </p><p>All texts studied are in English translations.</p><p> </p><p>This class explores major voices from 19th Century French literature, discussing literary style, themes, and key contexts as a way of developing responses to celebrated French writers. From Hugo and Flaubert to Baudelaire and Verlaine, come discover French prose and poetry produced between the Revolution and the Great War.</p><p> </p><p>Focusing on influential works by major authors, the course will cover key texts of 19th century French literary culture.</p><ul><li>François-René de Chateaubriand, <em>René</em> (1802)</li><li>Victor Hugo, <em>The Last Day of a Condemned Man</em> (1829)</li><li>Honoré de Balzac, Selected Short Stories (1830s)</li><li>Gustave Flaubert, <em>Madame Bovary </em>(1857)</li><li>Charles Baudelaire, Selected Poems<em> </em></li><li>Louise Michel, Poetry and the Paris Commune</li><li>Paul Verlaine, Selected Poems</li></ul><p>Electronic copies will be provided by the tutor. All texts are also available (to buy or borrow) in paperback in both the original French and in translation through established publishers such as Gallimard, Penguin, Vintage, Oxford and Norton.</p><p> </p><ul><li>Students will develop their general literary, historical, and critical knowledge of French writing and culture through varied reading on modern French literature. </li><li>Students will develop understanding of specific 19th century French texts and authors in detail, acquiring a knowledge of specific literary, historical, philosophical, and political contexts for modern French literature.</li></ul><p>No previous knowledge or experience of literature is necessary. However, learners will, ideally, need the following skills and attributes:</p><p>- An enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in large and small groups.</p><p>- A willingness and ability to do some reading and preparation outside the class. You will be expected to read the selected texts for each session.</p><p>- An interest in, and ability to listen to, the responses of other students to the work discussed.</p><p>The class will be held in 2-hour sessions over 8 weeks. The first 30 minutes will be an interactive lecture on the text, writer, themes, and contexts. The remaining time will be a round table and small group discussion of the texts in detail.</p><p>Students should buy or borrow a copy of each week’s text. Where available, electronic copies will be emailed by the tutor.</p><ul><li>François-René de Chateaubriand, <em>René</em> (1802)</li><li>Victor Hugo, <em>The Last Day of a Condemned Man</em> (1829)</li><li>Honoré de Balzac, Selected Short Stories (1830s)</li><li>Gustave Flaubert, <em>Madame Bovary </em>(1857)</li><li>Charles Baudelaire, Selected Poems<em> </em></li><li>Louise Michel, Poetry and the Paris Commune</li><li>Paul Verlaine, Selected Poems</li></ul><p>Electronic copies will be provided by the tutor. All texts are also available (to buy or borrow) in paperback in both the original French and in translation through established publishers such as Gallimard, Penguin, Vintage, Oxford and Norton.</p><p>Look for other Literature courses on our website under Culture, History and Humanities/Literature at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureFictionconfigurable
11881187Fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/11881/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction
