Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module FREN3271: FRENCH CINEMA: 1930s TO 1990s

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (French)

FREN3271: FRENCH CINEMA: 1930s TO 1990s

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Open 3 20 Available in 2006/2007 30 Durham

Pre-requisites

  • French Language 2 (FREN2051) or French Language 2 and Year Abroad (FREN2071) or an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/woman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

  • Modern European Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint Honours and 'with' programmes: French Language 4 (FREN3041). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Excluded Combinations

  • None.

Aims

  • To introduce students to the techniques of film analysis through the study of a selection of key films from French cinema (1930's to 1990's).
  • To enhance student skills in critical analysis, acquired in other modules and years, through their application to another medium (film).

Content

  • .

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • On completion of this course you should have knowledge and understanding of:
  • the appropriate concepts and critical methods to analyse film language, including being able to carry out a sequence analysis, and analyse the use in film of such features as framing, camera movement and sound-track,
  • the specific use made of these features in the films studied on this course,
  • the specificity of film as a form of expression and as an art form and discuss its aesthetic possibilities and limitations,
  • the principle movements in the history of French cinema and distinguish the salient stylistic features that set these movements apart.
Subject-specific Skills
Key Skills

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

  • Lectures will provide a broad introduction to the films studied, contextualising them in terms of the history of French cinema and will introduce students to some of the principal tools of film analysis.
  • Seminars will provide the opportunity to discuss the content of lectures and to gain practical experience in the close analysis of short film segments.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 10 Fortnightly 1 hour 10
Tutorials 2 2 per student per year 20 minutes 0.66
Seminars 21 Weekly 1 hour 21
Preparation and Reading 168.34
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Examination 50% two-hour written examination 100%
Essay 20% Essay 1,200 words 100%
Essay 30% Essay 1,800 words 100%

Formative Assessment

None

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.