French – Semester 1 – 2010/2011

`Module Title: French Language, Culture and Society 2

Module Code: FR4242

Module coordinator: Dr Michael G Kelly (michael.g.kelly@ul.ie) – Room LCO012

2. Learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

Discuss a range of key issues and events relating to francophone societies

Discuss and analyse a prescribed work by a twentieth-century French writer.
Speak and write in French accurately, building on the grammatical competencies
acquired in Semester 1
Demonstrate a solid understanding of complex sentences in French, particularly the
use of pronouns and prepositions
Display an awareness of the strategies involved in developing successful
autonomous learning
Demonstrate a sound understanding of key issues concerning ‘la francophonie’ and
regional varieties of language

3. Weekly Contact Hours = 4, as follows:

• 1 hour lecture on Tuesdays 9 – 10 am in D1050:

Week 1 to 4: Dr Frédéric Royall / Mr Dominique Le Meur
Week 5 to 8: Dr M G Kelly
Week 9 to 12: Professor Angela Chambers
• 1 hour tutorial on lecture topics: Dr M G Kelly / Dr Imogen Long
Tuesdays 10:00-11:00 SG21A
Thursdays 09:00-10:00 SR2028
• 1 hour tutorial on grammar: Ms Annie Girardin-Halpin
Thursdays 16:00-17:00 CSG25
Fridays 13:00-14:00 LCO017
• 1 hour tutorial on oral work: Ms Florence Le Baron-Earle
Tuesdays 15:00-16:00 LCB015
Fridays 16:00-17:00 LCB015

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT STUDENTS ATTEND ALL LECTURES AND

ASSIGNED TUTORIALS.

4. Aims and Objectives:

(i) To provide students with knowledge of key aspects of contemporary

Francophone societies.
(ii) To further develop practical language skills (receptive and active)
(iii) To provide a solid grounding in a number of key aspects of French grammar
(iv) To reinforce students' knowledge of issues related to the evolution of the
French language, particularly its regional varieties and ‘la francophonie’
worldwide.
 French – Semester 1 – 2010/2011

(v) To further enhance students’ reading and analytical skills in the study of
French literature.

5. Syllabus:

Students are introduced in lectures to the detailed study of social, historical, linguistic
and literary aspects of France and ‘la francophonie’. Themes stressed in this semester
are:

(i) Decolonisation and the variety of francophone communities

(ii) Modern writing in French with reference (inter alia) to issues of Francophone
identity.

(iii) La Francophonie and regional varieties of language.

These topics are further developed in a weekly tutorial, and reading and writing skills
are improved through regular exercises. Oral and aural skills in French are a
particular focus, and they are developed through the discussion of a broad selection of
contemporary oral and written texts from diverse media. The study of French
grammar in semester 1 is further enhanced with special emphasis on aspects of
complex sentences, pronouns and prepositions.

6. Primary texts:

Camus, Albert. L’Étranger (1942). Gallimard (Folio), 2008.

Divers textes / extraits relatifs aux Cours magistraux (Lectures), seront mis en ligne
régulièrement sur le site SULIS du module. Il faut lire et préparer ces textes avant
d’assister au T.D. (Tutorial) de discussion de la semaine.

Renaud, S. and D. Van Hooff. En bonne forme (huitième édition). Boston: Houghton
Mifflin, 2007.

Livret du français oral, disponible dans la Print Room (E1005), référence 5618

Oxford/Hachette French Dictionary, Oxford: OUP, 2001.

7. Other relevant texts:

1. E-resources:

a. Site de l'Académie française : http://www.academie-francaise.fr/

b. .Leclerc, Jacques. 2007. "Histoire de la langue française" (Chapitre 9 : Le

français contemporain) : http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/francophonie/histlngfrn.htm

c. Literature : http://www.ul.ie/~appliedlanguages/FR4242_Literature.htm

2. Huchon, M. Histoire de la langue française. Livre de poche, 2002.

3. Ardagh, J. France in the New Century: Portrait of a Changing Society. London:

Viking, 1999.
 French – Semester 1 – 2010/2011

4. Pingaud, Bernard, L'étranger d'Albert Camus / présentation de Bernard Pingaud,

Gallimard, 1992, (shelf in library 843.912 – where other work on Camus is also
available.)

Other bibliography will be given in the course of the semester.

8. Assessment:

Module assessment is composed of continuous assessment (including end-

of-semester oral exam) (60%) and an end-of-semester examination (40%)

Continuous assessment (60%)

Oral examination week 12 20%

Oral tutorials 10%
Reading comprehension 10% (in class week 4)
Grammar 10% (in class week 6 or 7)
Commentary on L'Etranger 10% (to be submitted week 10)

Final examination (40%)

2 of the 3 thematic areas from the general lecture – i.e. la Francophonie

or/and la littérature or/and la langue française – will feature on the exam
paper. You will write a short essay in each of these two areas. There will
also be a grammar section.

Essay 1 15%
Essay 2 15%
Grammar 10%

Broadly speaking, essays will be graded 50-50 for language and for
content.

9. Repeats:

Annual repeat assessments will be in line with UL regulations. The repeat

exam paper will be similar in style and content to end of semester exam paper.
Some continuous assessment components may be required as part of the
annual repeat assessment. In addition, where an oral examination was part of
the semester requirements, students may be required to sit the exam. Though
students may be informed of these points in writing during Jun / July, it is
incumbent upon them to contact the LLCC office prior to the annual repeat
exams for full information on repeat requirements.

10. Final Oral Exam:

End-of-semester 2 oral examination: All first year students of French are

required to take an oral examination in French at the end of semester two. The
oral examination will take place during Week 12 of Semester 2. Successful
completion of the oral examination will ensure continuation into Year 2
 French – Semester 1 – 2010/2011

provided that the overall QCA is at an acceptable level (see Student Academic
Affairs academic guidelines). All oral examinations will be taped to ensure
continuity and fair assessments. Results will NOT be given prior to final
exams. Please the following guidelines carefully.

Oral exam format: The oral examination will be for a period of 8-10 minutes.
Students are expected to prepare one subject from the list provided in oral
tutorials during the semester. The subject must be different to that
presented in class during the semester. Students will present a short 3-4
minute exposé on the subject. Examiners will then ask a number of questions
in order to assess linguistic competence. The examination will focus on
grammar/syntax, fluency, accuracy if language, vocabulary, etc.

Oral exam registration: Students must register for the oral during week 10
of Semester 2. No exceptions will be made. Students must register at the
School of Languages, Literature, Culture and Communication (LLCC) main
office (MC0002). For any query, please contact the module coordinator.

Fails (oral): A repeat examination will take place in August with a panel of
two lecturers as part of the University-wide Repeat Examinations structures.
Decisions at that time will be final. Students will be expected to prepare one
subject from a list that will be provided. The subject must be different to that
selected for the oral of Week 12.

11. Plagiarism:

Please note: Incidents of plagiarism in individual assessments will be

awarded zero marks and can lead to the award of an F for the whole
module. See also the University Code of Conduct

Dr Michael G Kelly
24 janvier 2011