This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)
Module FREN1041: SOCIETY AND ITS OUTSIDERS IN MODERN FRANCE
Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (French)
FREN1041: SOCIETY AND ITS OUTSIDERS IN MODERN FRANCE
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 1 | 20 | Available in 2025/2026 | None | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- None.
Corequisites
- French Language 1 (FREN1011).
Excluded Combinations
- None.
Aims
- The module seeks to introduce students to some of the main developments of twentieth-century French culture and society through a series of key texts and films.
Content
- This module, which is taught and assessed in French, offers and introduction to some of the main developments of nineteenth- and twentieth-century French literature and culture. Through the study of a series of key literary and filmic works, the module will explore the relationship between texts and their socio-cultural context, including such issues as changing conceptions of gender and sexuality, the rise of popular culture (e.g. in the form of the roman policier), and — thinking transnationally — the influence of the United States on the culture of France. By the end of the module, students will have a firm grounding in modern French culture, and will be able to engage critically with a range of methodological and theoretical approaches to film and writing, including approaches to thematic analysis and aesthetic form. This module has been designed to reflect a commitment to diversity in its resources and delivery, and will create opportunities for students to engage in critical analysis of different perspectives relevant to the study area.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Students will develop knowledge of French literature and culture.
Subject-specific Skills
- By the end of this module students should have improved reading skills in French and techniques of literary analysis.
Key Skills
- The development of general written communication skills.
- Skills in the acquisition and interpretation of information through reading and research.
- Ability to work independently.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- This module is taught by means of a weekly lecture and fortnightly seminar. The module will be taught and assessed in French. Students are required to attend all lectures and seminars and are expected to prepare themselves for classes and participate actively in discussions.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 | Weekly | 1 Hour | 20 | |
| Seminars | 10 | Fortnightly | 1 Hour | 10 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commentary | 40% | Commentary (Term 1) | 1000 words | 100% | |
| Summative Essay | 60% | Summative Essay (Term 2) | 1,500 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.