Far from a recent development, the relationship between ethics and literature has been reimagined in both contemporary literary works and theory. In a world where ethics are persistently highlighted in various discourses (political, scientific, cultural, economic), it becomes increasingly compelling, if not essential, to examine the way in which literature interacts with and reshapes these discourses or new ethical challenges. In this seminar, we will concentrate less on ethical theory (or moral philosophy) and more on the complex and conflicting relationships between ethics and literary aesthetics. In relation to ethics, we will explore a diverse range of issues, be they philosophical, cultural, political, or otherwise (e.g., posthumanity, torture, "self-care"), and endeavor to link them to literary concepts and practices at play in the texts under study: fiction, essay, narration, intertextuality, irony, etc. While making connections to other periods or cultures, the seminar will primarily focus on contemporary French and Quebecois works (novels, essays, plays) that not only depict new ethical conflicts but also provoke reflection on the ethics of writing or the responsibility associated with the act of writing.

Students from other graduate programs may submit assignments in English with approval of the instructor.