Module manager: Dr Andrew Stafford
Email: A.J.Stafford@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2023/24
Satisfactory completion of Level 1 French or equivalent
| FREN2260 | Black Atlantic |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Following Paul Gilroy's seminal study, The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness (1993), this level 2 course explores the complex historical, cultural and political links between Francophone Africa and the Caribbean. It follows cultural phenomena - short story, essay, poem - from French-speaking West Africa, across the Atlantic to les Antilles, in order to establish the extent to which Africa and the Caribbean have been and remain 'in dialogue'. The course moves around the 'triangular' route of the slave trade, travelling West and then East, but always via a 'detour' through France. Oral culture, 'creolisation' and African 'authenticity' are discussed in relation to historical and political realities in both Africa and the Caribbean, and the course considers the merits and demerits of independence from, and incorporation into, French postcolonial rule. 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:
- debate the status of French as a world language
- discuss the changing nature of 'French Studies'
- consider Francophone cultures in their diversity and similarity
- begin a study of: colonial history, decolonization, post-colonial theory, narrative strategies in oral culture, the short story and poetry
- discuss and analyze non-metropolitan French writing and cinema
- relate texts to historical, political and linguistic issues
- identify and investigate cultural identities
- appreciate France in relation to its colonies and ex-colonies
- debate the status of French as a world language
- discuss the changing nature of 'French Studies'
- consider Francophone cultures in their diversity and similarity
- begin a study of: colonial history, decolonization, post-colonial theory, narrative strategies in oral culture, the short story and poetry
- discuss and analyze non-metropolitan French writing and cinema
- relate texts to historical, political and linguistic issues
- identify and investigate cultural identities
- appreciate France in relation to its colonies and ex-colonies
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 14 | 1 | 14 |
| Seminar | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Private study hours | 129 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 21 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
25 hours background reading for lectures and seminars; 74 hours preparation for seminar presentations; 15 hours researching for essay; 15 hours revision for exam
Progress will be monitored by group summaries of the week's work submitted to the course tutor in French. Following each week of lectures and seminars a group of students will summarize in French the main points described and discussed in each week.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1,500 words in English at end of second term | 34 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 34 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 48.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 66 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 66 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 28/04/2023
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team