Course Title：Introduction à la littérature et à la culture françaises

This course has a twofold purpose. First, to present students a general overview of French literature, from Middle Age to our days. Second, to familiarize them with the elements of different literary genres (poetry, fiction and drama), movements and tendencies. Focusing on major texts of French literature from all periods, it investigates the writer’s purpose and techniques and the ways a reader can discern them. Designed to introduce students to the French culture, the course provides opportunities to develop reading, writing and speaking proficiency in French. It offers an elementary introduction to understanding of French literature and culture. Finally, the course plays special attention to influence and connections between French and Chinese cultures focusing on literary texts of French travelers in China.