Czechoslovak and French Structuralism 1

Display Schedule

Subject guarantor

Jaroslav ETLÍK

Name of lecturer(s)

Jaroslav ETLÍK

Learning outcomes of the course unit

1. Introduce student to structuralistic thought issues and define various and often confused concepts of structure, form and composition.
2. To acquaint students with structuralism particularly in arts research and its diverse forms in various cultural and language areas. To emphasize advantages and differences in structuralistic thought in inter-war Czechoslovakia and in the subsequent francophone country environments in the 1960s and 70s; not only artistically, but in a wider culture and social context.

Mode of study

Study through primarily reading and literary analysis (in addition to the presentation part) - scientific texts and subsequent student discussions about them.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

None.

Course contents

1. Lectures will trace, particularly, the gradual nascent and subsequent domestication process of structural thought in literary study, aesthetics, and general art theory in the last century; from the beginning of the Czechoslovak literary study and aesthetic structuralism, linking directly to the Russian formal school in the 1930s to its methodological and thought modification at present. The basis of the lecture series will be a comprehensive study of the research works of literary theorists and aestheticists Jan Mukařovsky including his theatrological practice. From there will the presentation will continue through specialized lectures which will be devoted to individuals of Czechoslovak structuralism: R. Jakobson, F. Vodička, P. Bogatyrev, N. Trubeckoj, v oblasti divadla pak J. Veltruský, K. Brušák, J. Honzl atd. At the same time there will be a comprehensive detailed analysis of French structuralism, that is, the theory concepts of Barthes, Todorov, Kristev, Lévi-Strauss, Althusser, de Marinis, Alter, T. Kowzan, and others.

 2. The lecture series will attempt to empasize as is possible that both „schools“ have their separate starting points (Czechoslovak structuralism is directly linked to Russian formalism then the French school was born in opposition and an alternative to the then in France, dominant philosophic existentialism). It is important that both "schools are understood the key concept of structure very differently.

Recommended or required reading

J. Mukařovský: Studie I. II.

R. Jakobson: Poetická funkce

J. Veltruský: Příspěvky k teorii divadla

K. Brušák: Znaky na čínském divadle.

J. Honzl: K novému významu umění

F. Vodička: Struktura vývoje

R. Barthes: Třetí smysl

R. Barthes: Nulový stupeň rukopisu, Základy sémiologie

J.Kristeva: Text a román

J. Kristeva: Jazyky lásky

C. Lévi - Strauss : Struktura a forma

T. Togorov: Poetika prózy

P. Kyloušek (ed,): Struktura, znak, vyprávění

Assessment methods and criteria

Marks and credit are awarded based on a minimum of 80% lecture attendance which is a requirement for sitting the test. Grading is completed upon the close of the lecture series through an oral exam.

Schedule for winter semester 2018/2019:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2018/2019:

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The subject is a part of the following study plans

• Theory and criticism (M.A.) (required optional subject)