To provide an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of the discovery of the New World; To introduce students to the language, style and themes of sixteenth-century French texts; To give students an insight into the diversity and contrasts in representations of the New World in French Renaissance literature; To encourage students to reflect on the issues presented by the texts in the light of recent theories developed to conceptualise travel, cultural exchange, cultural difference and 'otherness', such as postcolonial theory and psychoanalysis; To develop students' subject-specific and transferable skills such as the ability to read in French; the ability to use electronic resources such as the internet; presentational, organisational, analytical, time management, problem-solving, research and writing skills.

(LO1) The ability to read and understand French Renaissance texts.

(LO2) Comment on the historical and cultural factors pertinent to the discovery of the New World and its representation French Renaissance writing.

(LO3) Identify and discuss the stylistic and thematic features of the works studied.

(LO4) Compare and contrast the set works and the stylistic and thematic issues they present.

(LO5) Read and understand theories of 'otherness' and apply them to the prescribed material where appropriate.

(LO6) Use electronic resources such as the internet to further their understanding of the issues raised by the course, particularly digitised texts.

(LO7) Evaluate critical approaches to the issues discussed and select those likely to be pertinent and fruitful, explaining and defending choices when asked to do so either by other students or the course tutors.

(LO8) Contribute to tutorial discussion, analysing material with regard to its broad themes, significant detail, and socio-cultural, historical and ideological context.

(LO9) Complete coherent, focused and structured assignments on topics related to the set texts.

(LO10) Make competent use of secondary literature and achieve the proper integration of such material into an original argument.

(LO11) Use library and bibliographical skills to find secondary literature relating to the chosen texts, including that available on the internet.

(S1) Teamwork

(S2) Adaptability

(S3) Ethical awareness

(S4) Lifelong learning skills

(S5) International awareness

(S6) IT skills

(S7) Communication skills

(S8) Organisational skills

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures will be given at the beginning of the module to give students an overview of the historical and theoretical issues raised by the texts.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Students will lead the seminars with their assessed presentations
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 3 - Field Work
Description: Visit to Special Collections and Archives
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 4 - Feedback on commentaries
Description: One session will be devoted to returning and discussing the written commentaries.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Topics covered during the module may include: Travel, cultural exchange, postcolonialism; The French in the New World: An introduction; Renaissance revolutions; Writing the New World in Renaissance France I; Writing the New World in Renaissance France II; Introduction to the Histoire faict en la terre de Bresil; Jean de Lery I: Gender and marriage; Jean de Lery II: Religion; Jean de Lery III: Cannibalism and war; Montaigne I: 'Des cannibales': Comparing cultures; Montaigne II: Cannibalism and meaning; Discussion of Michel de Certeau's essay on 'Des cannibales'; Montaigne III: 'Des coches'; Montaigne IV: 'Des coches'; Cartier I: Writing and exploration; Cartier II: Writing otherness; Cartier III: Ceremony and society; Rabelais I: Reading the Quart Livre; Rabelais II: Journies of discovery? Rabelais II: Linguistic otherness; Rabelais III: Monstrosity.