Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module FREN2041: POLITICS & CULTURE OF CONTEMPORARY FRANCE

Department: MODERN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES (FRENCH)

FREN2041: POLITICS & CULTURE OF CONTEMPORARY FRANCE

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • French Language 1 (I) (FREN1011) OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

  • Modern European Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: French Language 2 (FREN2051). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Not available to students taking the Language Centre module French in Society II (LANG2051)

Aims

  • To introduce students to the ways in which the government and culture of the Fifth Republic have developed since 1958, and to study the social and political issues which shape contemporary French culture.

Content

  • This module, which is taught and examined in French, is intended to introduce second-year students to the ways in which the government and culture of the Fifth Republic have developed over the last 50 years.
  • It will be of particular interest to students proposing to spend their third year in France, as well as to those with a particular interest in the social and political issues which shape modern French culture.
  • Topics: The Founding and Constitution of the Fifth Republic, De Gaulle and 1968, From Mitterrand to Chirac, The Urbanisation of Modern France, Intellectuals and Thinkers, Education, The Media, Imigrants and Identity.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • .
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

      Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

      • .

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 18 1 per week 1 hour 18
      Seminars 10 1 per fortnight 1 hour 10
      Preparation and Reading 172
      Total 200

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Dossier and Report Component Weighting: 40%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      a project - dossier and 1200 word report in French - 100%
      Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      a two-hour examination in French 100%

      Formative Assessment:

      2 short essays; 1 dossier.

      ■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University