SAKS021 Image of the USA and America in Quebec literature

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Petr Kyloušek, CSc. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Petr Kyloušek, CSc.
Center for North American Studies – Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Center for North American Studies – Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Prerequisites
A solid knowledge of French.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 16 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The purpose of this course is to present and analyze the most important works of recent Quebec literature set in or dealing with America and the United States. The course readings will focus mainly on novels. The cultural and social influence of America as well as the intercultural melting pot will be taken into consideration. As part of this course, a lecture will be given by Jean-François Chassay at the end of April. Chassay is the author of one of the novels on the syllabus as well as a theorist of americanity and a critic of American and Quebec literature.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to - apply basic notions related to the theme of Americanness - identify the evolution in perceiving the USA and America in literary texts, and relate them to the evolution of identity issues - analyze literary texts, presenting the elements analyzed in an orderly way and commenting on them.
Syllabus
  • These main issues will be dealt with: 1. Image, imaginary and its components? 2. Territorialization: fortress mentality, territorial appropriation 3. Dynamics of identity and cultural spatiality (historical approach) 4. Myth of the New World, myth of origins 5. Concept of Americanness 6. Imaginary of the end 7. Imaginary of the frontier These novels will be read and analyzed: 1. J. Poulin: Volkswagen Blues 2. N. Audet: Frontières ou tableaux d'Amérique 3. J. Godbout: Une histoire américaine 4. M. LaRue: Copies conformes 5. N. Brossard: Le désert mauve 6. N. Dickner: Tarmac 7. C. Mavrikakis: Ciel de Bay City 8. Poésie et théâtre choisis
Literature
  • Les lieux de l'imaginaire. Edited by Jean-François Chassay - Bertrand Gervais. Montréal: Liber, 2002, 306 s. ISBN 289578017X. info
  • CHASSAY, Jean-François. L'ambiguïté américaine : le roman québécois face aux États-Unis. Montréal: XYZ, 1995, 197 s. ISBN 2892611326. info
Teaching methods
Explanation of the issue of americanity in Quebec. Contextualization of each novel. In-class discussion of parts of the novel read by the student before each class.
Assessment methods
written essay (18000 characters)
Language of instruction
French
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/SAKS021