Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module FREN3361: REBELLION, FEUD AND CRUSADE IN MEDIEVAL TEXTS

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (French)

FREN3361: REBELLION, FEUD AND CRUSADE IN MEDIEVAL TEXTS

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • French Language 2 (FREN2051) OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

  • Modern Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: French Language 4 (FREN3041) or French Language 4 following Year Abroad (FREN3351). Other: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To examine the chansons de geste and texts inspired by them.
  • To reflect upon the relation between literature and historical context, the justification of violence and the relationship between the aesthetic form and style of the texts and their content.

Content

  • The following four primary texts will be examined: Raoul de Cambrai, Huon de Bordeau, Girart de Roussillon; Robert de Clari, La Conqu

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • knowledge of important French texts
  • knowledge of a crucial period in French history
  • knowledge of innovative approaches to analysing relationships between literature and history
Subject-specific Skills:
  • development of critical skills - close reading of primary texts
  • ability to relate texts judiciously to overarching themes of conflict and war
  • ability to analyse imaginatively and rigorously relationships between literature and history
  • ability to critique secondary material
Key Skills:
  • critical and analytical
  • essay-writing and commentary
  • structuring of arguments
  • independent learning

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

  • Lectures and student-led seminars, some of which will involve guided close reading of extracts from the texts; others will consist of discussion of the ethical, political and historical issues raised by the corpus.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 21 weekly 1 hour 21 ■
Seminars 10 fortnightly 1 hour 10 ■
Reading & Preparation 169
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Commentary Component Weighting: 20%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Literary Commentary 1200 words 100% No
Component: Essay Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Essay 1800 words 100% No
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written examination 2 hours 100% No

Formative Assessment:

None

■ 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