Module Code - Title:

FR4242 - FRENCH LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND SOCIETY 2A

Year Last Offered:

2026/7

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

1

Lab

0

Tutorial

3

Other

0

Private

6

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

FR4241

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

This module is set at B1+ on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). (i) To provide students with an introduction to major aspects of contemporary Francophone societies and cultures; (ii) to familiarise students to issues related to the evolution of the French language particularly its regional varieties and la Francophonie worldwide; (iii) to promote students reading and analytical skills in the study of French literature; (iv) to give a solid grounding to a number of points of French Grammar. (v) to further develop students practical language skills (oral and written).

Syllabus:

This syllabus is set at B1+ on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Students are introduced in lectures to the study of social, historical, linguistic and literary aspects of France and francophone societies. Themes explored this semester are (i) decolonisation and the variety of francophone communities (ii) the search for identity in modern literature (iii) la Francophonie and regional varieties of language. These topics are discussed in depth in the more active setting of weekly tutorials. Oral and aural skills in French are a particular focus, and they are developed through the discussion of a broad selection of oral and written material from diverse media. The study of French grammar in semester 1 is continued.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Demonstrate familiarity with selected current issues in France/Francophone countries in precise and accurate French; Read and analyse a text chosen from 20th/21st century French literature; Write an essay in French applying basic principles of textual analysis to a literary text; Speak and write in French in a way which displays heightened morphological and syntactic awareness.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

On successful completion of this module students should be able to: Examine new concepts, ideas and values from a variety of sources: historical, literary and linguistic.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: Articulate oral production with more precise pronunciation, including intonation.

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The module will be taught with the same mix of activities, formats and exercises as its prerequisite, FR4241. Students will be required to build upon the learning done there, with new opportunities for presentational and written work on a related subject area.

Prime Texts:

Camus, A. (2000) L étranger , Paris: Livre de poche

Hawkins, Lamy and Towell (2001) Practising French Grammar. A Workbook , Hodder-Arnold

(2001) Oxford/Hachette French Dictionary , Oxford: OUP

Renaud, S. and Van Hooff, D. (2007) En bonne forme (eighth edition) , Boston: Houghton Mifflin

Other Relevant Texts:

Lyn, T. (1999) Annie Ernaux : an Introduction to the writer and her audience. , Oxford: Berg

() Website of the Académie française , http://www.academie-francaise.fr/

Ardagh, J. (1999) France in the New Century: Portrait of a Changing Society , London: Viking.

Huchon, M. (2002) Histoire de la langue française , Paris: Livre de poche

Leclerc, J. (2007) Histoire de la langue française (Chapter 9 : Le français contemporain) , http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/francophonie/histlngfrn.htm

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN APPLIED LANGUAGES

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EUROPEAN STUDIES

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN JOURNALISM AND DIGITAL COMMUNICATION

BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN LANGUAGES

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Spring