Module Code - Title:
FR4241
-
FRENCH LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND SOCIETY 1
Year Last Offered:
2023/4
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
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 French society and culture;
(ii) to familiarise students to issues related to the evolution of the French language;
(iii) to introduce students to the study of French literature;
(iv) to give a solid grounding to a number of points of French Grammar.
(v) to enable students to develop 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 French society and culture.
Themes explored this semester are
(i) the Republican heritage
(ii) the modern short story
(iii) the history of the French 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. An overall review of French grammar is carried out with special emphasis on French grammatical metalanguage.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Demonstrate familiarity with and speak about key issues arising in a selection of French texts from current press publications;
Read and analyse a text chosen from French literature;
Write a commentary in French on a prescribed text;
Recognise and use accurately basic grammatical features of the French language as well as specific features covered in class.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Understand 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:
Produce comprehensible French pronunciation, including intonation.
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module will be taught by a mixture of lecture, small group discussion and exchange, student class presentation,and directed personal study of both language and literature. Student learning experiences will include those of making oral interventions and presentations in the target language; development of note-taking and comprehension skills in the target language; writing analytical prose in the target language; critically evaluating own needs and pursuing autonomous study in respect of the target language.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Gratton, J. and Le Juez, B. (eds) (1994)
Modern French Short Fiction
, Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Renaud, S. and Van Hooff, D. (2007)
En bonne forme (eighth edition)
, Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Hawkins, R., Towell, R.and Lamy, M-N. (1997)
Practising French Grammar: A Workbook.
, London: Arnold.
Other Relevant Texts:
()
Website of the Académie française :
, http://www.academie-francaise.fr/
Cerquiglini, B. (dir) (1999)
Femme, j écris ton nom. Guide d aide à la féminisation des noms de métiers, titres, grades et fonctions
, http://lesrapports.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr/BRP/994001174/0000.pdf
Cook, M. (1993)
French Culture since 1945
, London: Longman
Akyuz et al. (2000)
Exercices de grammaire en contexte
, Paris: Hachette
Singleton, D. (1992)
French: Some Historical Background
, Dublin: Authentik.
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester - Year to be First Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
stephanie.oriordan@ul.ie