Module manager: Dr John Sagar
Email: j.sagar@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
Satisfactory completion of Level 1 French or equivalent
| FREN2205 | The Seventh Art - Cinema in France |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Film - the 'seventh art' - has been an important element of both high and popular culture in France throughout the 20th century. This module provides a grounding in film studies as a discipline, by familiarising students with its modes of analysis and key concepts. It also studies cinema within the context of French society and history, introducing students to the history and specific character and qualities of French cinema from its origins to the present day. We will study films from the earliest silent 'shorts' made by the Lumiere brothers around 1900, through the golden age of the 1930s (Renoir, Carne), on to the Nouvelle Vague (Godard, Truffaut) and the contemporary period (Subway, La Haine, Un long dimanche de fiancailles and more). Students should note that they will be required to watch the films outside the module teaching hours - film showings will be organised approximately once a fortnight. Although the films will be sub-titled, much of the module will be conducted in French, and post-A-level French or equivalent is a pre-requisite. Assessment is by examination and essay, and both close analysis of film passages ('commentary'), and student seminar presentations, are important elements of learning/teaching. Pre-requisite: Completion of Level 1 French course or equivalent at the discretion of the Course Director.
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. demonstrate knowledge of key aspects of the history of French cinema from its origins to the present
2. critically analyse a film or film extract demonstrating awareness of the contribution of formal components to meaning
3. identify, apply and discuss some key concepts oin French film studies (eg auteurism, poetic realism).
This module introduces students to the history and the specific character and qualities of French cinema, from its origins at the end of 19th century to the present.
Film, the 'seventh art', has always played an important part in French culture - both 'high' and popular - and cinema will be studied within the wider context of French society and history, contributing to the students' overall knowledge of French national culture.
The module also provides a grounding in film studies as a discipline, by familiarising students with its modes of analysis and key concepts. Experience suggests that current generations of students already possess a high (if not always conscious) degree of visual literacy, which can rapidly be 'operationalised'.
Through the use of seminar presentations and 'interactive' lectures, students wil be encouraged to play an active role in analysis and discussion from early in the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 170 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
- 50 hours background reading for lectures and seminars
- 90 hours preparation for seminar presentations
- 15 hours researching for essay
- 15 hours revision for exam.
- Regular seminar participation
- Presentations and
- Individual film commentaries.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 2,000 words in English (end of semester 2) | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Online Time-Limited assessment | 48.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50 | |
The format of the exam may be subject to change should the situation surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic allow. Students will be informed well in advance if this becomes the case.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 29/04/2022
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