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Home > Module Descriptions > FR103: Contemporary France: History, Politics, Literature
FR103: Contemporary France: History, Politics, Literature
Module Provider: |
French |
Number of credits: |
20 [10 ECTS credits] |
Level: |
C (Certificate) |
Terms in which taught: |
Y |
Module Convenor: |
Dr
AF
Knapp |
Pre-requisites: |
GCSE A Level (or equivalent)
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Co-requisites: |
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Modules excluded: |
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Module version for: |
2006/7 |
Aims:
The aim of this module is to examine, from two different but complementary points of view - those of the social sciences and of literary studies - the shaping of French experiences and mentalities.
In the history part of the module, students will be introduced to some of the major characteristics of French politics and society, by exploring themes such as constitutions and régimes, political parties, industrialisation, and the education system. By regular cross-referencing to the UK, students will obtain a range of criteria for undertaking comparisons between West European states and societies.
In the literature part of the module, students will be introduced to two distinct genres. They will acquire the skills of recognising and describing the conventions of a given genre, and engaging critically with the texts set.
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Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:
In the History and Politics components of the module
identify the major institutional components of a major modern democratic state, in this case France
identify and use critically the concepts of Left and Right as a framework for the analysis of political conflict
analyse the major constraints affecting democratic policy-makers, both within the global economy and in international commitments
to outline the social impact on a developed society of a relatively late process of industrialisation
In the literature component of the module
make associations between the historical/political and the literary aspects of their course, by relating them to the period in which they were written, as well as the period which they describe
analyse the texts as literary entities whose ambiguities, questions, and dilemmas reach beyond a given historical period.
acquire appropriate lexicon for describing and analysing literary texts.
And for both parts of the module
plan and write, on a historical/political and a literary topic, an essay incorporating a clear analytical structure and giving evidence of use of a variety of sources
engage critically with the ideas presented in lectures, seminars, or secondary materials
organise and articulate a coherent written argument, both in coursework essays and under timed examination conditions
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Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage the development of: oral communication skills and pair/group presentation skills. Students will also be expected to use the film databases and other dedicated internet sites as part of their background learning. |
Outline content:
History and Politics:
Introduction to some basic concepts in government and politics such as government and parliament, political parties, constitutions, and electoral systems
Introduction to French political history since 1958
Introduction to the French political system, from the point of view both of institutions and of parties
Introduction to recent French social and economic history, including experiences such as the 'trente glorieuses', the rural exodus, the experience of mass unemployment, and the late-twentieth-century recovery
Introduction to France's ambiguous role in the process of European integration
Literature
Introduction to concepts of 'literature' and 'genre', in particular drama and the short story
Introduction to the prescribed authors, and to the historical and literary background of the prescribed texts
Introduction to different narrative techniques; subjectivity (first person/third person narration); style; register; character development; importance of setting, etc.
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Brief description of teaching
and learning methods:
The module will incorporate :
A total of nineteen lectures for the two parts of the module
A total of nineteen seminars on the historical/political and the literary parts of the module, leading to different forms of interaction between students and between the student group and seminar supervisors, plus two revision seminars in the Summer term
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Contact hours:
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Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
| Lectures |
9 |
10 |
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| Tutorials/seminars |
9 |
10 |
2 |
| Practicals |
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| Other contact (eg study visits) |
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| Total hours |
18 |
120 |
2 |
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| Number of essays or assignments |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Other (eg major seminar paper) |
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Assessment:
Coursework
2 essays (ca. 2.000 words), one for each of the two components of the module.
Relative percentage of coursework:
25%
Penalties for late submission
Ten marks (out of 100 on the normal University scale) will be deducted from a piece of work submitted up to one calendar week after the original deadline or any formally agreed extension of that deadline. Once this period has elapsed, a mark of zero will be recorded.
Examinations
Students will take a 1x 3-hour examination at the end of the module. The examination will require THREE questions to be answered, of which at least ONE must be on the politics/history side of the module, and ONE on the literary side.
Requirements for a pass
40%
Reassessment arrangements
Re-examination in August/September. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted by 1 September.
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