Module FREN1091: Foundations: French

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (French)

FREN1091: Foundations: French

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Tied	1	20	Available in 2026/2027		Durham

Tied To

Pre-requisites

None

Corequisites

For students on R002, RV92, LA01 and LMV0: FREN1012 French Language 1B or FREN1011 French Language 1A.

Excluded Combinations

None

Aims

For students to develop skills crucial to the critical analysis of various forms of culture, including close analysis of sources in literature and visual culture; use of secondary sources; writing essays and giving presentations.
For students to become familiar with key issues pertaining to the study of cultures in French, and to engage critically and creatively with these issues.
For students to develop skills of critical thinking, intercultural communication, assessment of research evidence, and collaborative practice with peers.
For students to evaluate critically and engage actively with the opportunities and challenges of Generative AI in their learning journey.

Content

Analysis of varied primary materials which may be drawn from literature, film and visual studies, music, philosophy, politics, history.
Scaffolding of skills acquisition, eg working with primary and secondary sources, planning essays, planning presentations, engaging appropriately with AI.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Understand the variety of primary materials studied.
Understand core terms and concepts pertaining to studying cultures.

Subject-specific Skills

Analysis of primary materials from the cultures studied.
Critical engagement with secondary literature pertaining to the primary materials or to the theory and methodology of analysing cultures.

Key Skills

Formulating compelling arguments in oral and written forms.
Engaging creatively and ethically with Generative AI.

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 lectures will do two things. 1. They will articulate and model key skills such as analysing primary sources and engaging critically with secondary sources. 2. They will explain foundational issues in studying cultures in French. In seminars, students will practise key skills including analysing texts and visual materials; engaging critically with secondary sources and assessing research evidence; planning and formulating compelling arguments in written and oral form; collaborative practice with peers. These skills will be assessed via a written piece and a presentation.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	20	Weekly across Michaelmas and Epiphany Term	1 hour	20
Seminars	10	Fortnightly across Michaelmas and Epiphany Term	1 hour	10	Yes
Preparation and Reading				170
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Summative Assessments	100%	Essay	Maximum 2,000 words	60%
Summative Assessments	100%	Presentation	Maximum 8 minutes	40%

Formative Assessment

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.