French language and society II

Aims

Aims

This module is intended to enable students to acquire a knowledge of the key aspects of modern French culture and society. Through the analysis of a variety of written and aural materials, students will be able to develop their linguistic competencies as well as their cultural understanding. This is in order to allow them to achieve a high level of fluency and accuracy in their production of written and spoken French.

The module aims to develop students’ understanding of cultural differences and their capacity to adapt to different social expectations. It will familiarise students with a number of key French institutions such as the République, the educational system and the welfare state. It will also investigate the underlying principles which guide French society from a historical, social and political perspective. Students will be expected to discuss the current issues debated by the French media and political commentators as well as French people’s expectations of their society and the state.

Satisfactory completion of the course should enable students to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the key aspects of modern French culture and society
• Understand complex written and aural authentic materials
• Present and develop arguments effectively in both spoken and written French
• Achieve a good level of accuracy in the production of both written and spoken French

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed:

• F03C French language and society I
• F06C French grammar

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

The module lasts the whole year. The programme will consist of two seminar hours per week. Weeks 3 and 4 of the summer term will focus on the oral presentations.

Teaching programme

All the lessons are conducted as seminars in order to encourage discussion and interaction. Therefore, completing weekly tasks in preparation for class discussion is an essential part of students' commitment. The classes will cover a range of themes related to current issues in modern France. Particular emphasis will be given to the development of analytical and critical skills, using authentic materials from a range of sources (television broadcast, newspaper articles, books, websites). The medium of instruction is French.

Teaching materials

Students should have a good monolingual French dictionary (either Le Petit Robert or Le Petit Larousse), and a good reference grammar (Towell and Hawkins (1996) OR Grevisse, Le Bon Usage).

Teaching materials will be supplied during the course, as will bibliographical references when necessary.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

• Oral commentary and dialogue within class on oral and written language work. Given immediately both to individuals and to group
• Oral commentary and dialogue on seminar presentation, given to the individual presenter following the seminar
• Written comments and mark on University scale given to individual students for practice essays, with opportunity for individual consultation; the essays will be returned to students two weeks after seminar
• Model answers may be given for class exercise/ past exam papers, with class discussion of difficulties

Assessment and feedback

• A 2-week open exam (Paper 1), focusing on reading and writing competencies and consisting of short questions based on a reading text 
  • Date: Week 10, Spring Term
  • Weight: 30%
• A 3-hour closed exam (Paper 2), covering reading and writing
  • Date: Weeks 5-7, Summer Term
  • Weight: 40%
• Oral presentation, 15 minutes in total, a short presentation and follow-up questions
  • Date: Weeks 5-7, Summer Term
  • Weight: 30%

Feedback: Individuals will be given a feedback sheet for the oral examination, and will be allowed to see their exam paper with comments, under supervision, at an appointed date after the external examiner has reviewed the papers.