Module Code - Title:
FR4248
-
FRENCH LANGUAGE CULTURE AND SOCIETY 6
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module is set at C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The purpose of this module is: (i) to give students an overview of the French media industries and the ability to critically evaluate their functions; (ii) to enable students to improve written and oral language skills; (iii) to provide an understanding of the principles of bilateral interpreting and introductory practice; (iv) to give students practice in translating a variety of texts and to familiarise them with the appropriate translation strategies.
Syllabus:
This syllabus is set at C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). (i) Communication and the media in France - the study of the relationship between the media and the state; analysis of different branches of the media; practice in using the language of the media and in analysing particular media artefacts. (ii) Work on video documents on current issues in francophone countries to improve comprehension and oral skills. (iii) Translation of journalistic texts from French to English in the light of translation theory in order to foster the development of transferable translation strategies. (iv) Principles and practice in bi-lateral interpreting.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
(i) demonstrate an understanding of the development of and the problems concerning the press, television and film in France since the second world war, and the levels of state intervention of the government in the French media;
(ii) situate French films in their historical tradition;
(iii) analyse particular films from a film studies perspective;
(iv) translate short journalistic texts from French to English and justify the strategies used to deal with problems which have arisen in the course of the translation;
(v) demonstrate the ability to interpret a variety of text types between French and English, using a dossier of relevant bilingual texts as preparation material;
(vi) Distinguish between errors and mistakes in their oral and written production and develop strategies to eliminate these.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
(i) articulate at an advanced level in French their individual attitudes and values in relation to the role of the media in France.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
(i) Identify errors in their pronunciation and work on eliminating these.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
Students will attend a one-hour lecture and three one-hour tutorials each week. They will have experience of a large group learning environment in their weekly lectures and also benefit from small group tutorial teaching, including discussion, pair work and small group work.
Prime Texts:
François Truffaut (1959)
Les 400 coups
,
C. Serreau (2001)
Chaos
,
M. Kassovitz (1995)
La haine
,
Other Relevant Texts:
Hayward, S. (2000)
Cinema Studies: the Key Concepts.
, London: Routledge
Powrie, P. (1999)
French Cinema in the 1990s. Continuity and Difference.
, Oxford:OUP
Guillemin-Fleischer, J. (1993)
Syntaxe comparée du français et de l¿anglais : problèmes de traduction.
, Paris: Ophrys
Austin, G. (2008)
Contemporary French Cinema: An Introduction
, Manchester: Manchester University Press
Powrie, P. and Reader, K. (2002)
French Cinema: A Student's Guide
, London: Arnold
Cooper, S. (2008)
Selfless Cinema? Ethics and French Documentary
, Oxford: Legenda
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
Module Leader:
Cliona.Hensey@ul.ie