| Unit name | Transnational Encounters in the Francophone World |
|---|---|
| Unit code | FREN30134 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Hogarth |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of French |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
The unit will introduce students to major transnational texts and writers in France and across the Francophone world. It considers the inspiration that French cultural production has taken from and provided to, genres such as literature and film from different parts of the world, from encounters with China to postcolonial, post-migratory and ‘Afropean’ texts. The concept of transnational French studies has generated wide-ranging debate over the last few decades, especially in literary and cultural studies. In this unit, we will consider how a country (France) that has long been based across several continents, provides an arena for transnational encounters. How do Francophone artists contribute to discourse on issues such as migration and decolonisation? How do artists depict these transnational cultural encounters, especially in view of France’s colonial past and its continued implications in contemporary society? How do factors including gender and genre reveal themselves in Francophone cultural expressions? What kinds of differing experiences are manifest in such transnational works?
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit engages with important debates in French literary and cultural studies and which pertain to wider discussions about French history, culture and society. It also involves studies of the degree of influence and contemporary relevance of French culture in other parts of the world (notably China, Senegal, Cameroon) as well as a focus on other, often underrepresented, parts of French society (Overseas France and the banlieues). Whilst you will have encountered some of these debates in your studies in previous years, this unit builds on this pre-existing knowledge and student skills in the context of the broad and complex Francophone world.
An overview of content
This unit helps students situate French and Francophone studies in actively transnational frameworks. Students develop an enhanced understanding of core texts and methodologies constituting the study of French language culture as a transnational, transcultural and translingual phenomenon. Issues such as transcultural inspiration, migration, transnational, and translingual encounters through a series of contemporary texts (novels, short stories, films and song lyrics) from the last thirty years.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Having taken this unit, students will have developed a broad range of skills. They will gain sufficient knowledge and intellectual abilities to consider themselves subject-specific experts in global Francophone studies. They will be able to use this knowledge to engage in real world debates about French culture and society and the role of France and its representation in global culture. By working both collaboratively and independently, students will become more effective communicators, becoming more confident, reflective, self-motivated and adaptive members of society.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, successful students will:
1. analyze and explain core features of transnational Francophone literature and culture;
2. deploy a range of interpretive tools with which to perform literary and cultural criticism;
3. deploy sophisticated skills in comparing and analysing literature alongside other media;
4. be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at a high level of complexity;
5. demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research appropriate to this level of study.
Students will learn by engaging in lectures, seminar discussions, and reading of primary and secondary sources. In addition, they will be able to directly access primary sources through the online unit site, which will also contain set texts and optional secondary reading. The Unit Director will encourage students to take the opportunity to develop their own interests and lines of enquiry, which will be essential particularly in the first assignment. Group discussion and team projects will allow students to further refine their understanding of the unit’s key topics. The unit will be taught through seminars consisting of a combination of lectures, small-group and plenary discussions of set texts, and online research activities
Tasks which help students learn and prepare them for summative tasks (formative)
In-class activities will increase students’ familiarity with the subject matter, thereby enabling them to increase confidence and knowledge before attempting the summative assessment. Discussions and group presentations will enable students to develop critical thinking about transcultural encounters, which will equally be important for the summative assessment.
Tasks which count towards students’ unit mark (summative)
Portfolio based on the study of France’s cultural links to another country/territory, 1,500 words, (25%) [ILOs 4, 5].
Essay, 3,500 words (75%)[ILOs 1-3 & 5].
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. FREN30134).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
