2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FREN1020 Introduction to French Studies (Resistance and Desire)

20 Credits Class Size: 100

Module manager: Nina Wardleworth
Email: n.a.wardleworth@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

A level French or equivalent at the discretion of the Module Convenor

Mutually Exclusive

FREN1023 Ab Initio Introduction to French Studies (Resistance and Des

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module uses the guiding themes of resistance and desire to introduce you to the study of the culture, history and society of France from the 18th century to the present. Topics may include: the 1789 Revolution; colonial history; contemporary French cinema; the bande dessinée; and 19th-century fiction. There are also skills workshops designed to help you prepare for classes and assessments.

Objectives

This module aims to: 

1. introduce students to key approaches, themes and developments in French and Francophone Studies, embedded in the research context of the University of Leeds in lectures

2. encourage students to think of French and Francophone Studies as an interdisciplinary field of study that includes literature, culture, history, politics and society in lectures

3. support students to engage with secondary literature and to develop a good general understanding of key principles in academic research in lectures and seminars 

4. teach students how to analyse a literary or filmic text coherently and with due attention to questions of context and form, both orally and in writing in lectures and seminars.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

LO1.  recognise key approaches and discuss themes and concepts in French and Francophone Studies  

LO2. identify and critique the main arguments of a range of scholarly publications drawn from the discipline of French and Francophone Studies 

LO3. analyse and evaluate through close reading the content and form of extracts from the set texts

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes: 

SO1. locate primary and secondary materials in libraries and online   

SO2. present ideas based on close reading and research in formal genres of academic writing in English, specifically a commentary and research essay  

SO3. analyse a range of primary materials, such as literature, film, media, political rhetoric, historical sources. 

SO4. compare, contrast, analyse and evaluate academic secondary sources, assessing their strengths, weaknesses and methodologies. 

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 20 1 20
Seminar 15 1 15
Private study hours 165
Total Contact hours 35
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress is monitored by a) participation in seminars; b) two practice assignments, one in each semester

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Source Analysis Commentary: Close analysis of a primary source 50
Essay Construction of an academic argument re-enforced with research 50
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 9/2/2024

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team