Module Information

Module Identifier
FR29920
Module Title
LA FRANCE D'AUJOURD'HUI
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Mr Kader Izri
Semester
Semester 2

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Lecture 10 lectures in all.
Seminars / Tutorials 10 seminars in all.
Practical Practicals will be devoted to research skills in the form of independent learning and discussed during seminars.
Workload Breakdown 20hrs in research, 100hrs in reading of research material, 40hrs in selection of reading material and critical analysis, 20hrs in written dossiers, 20hrs in preparation for oral presentations.
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment 30% Presentation and Dossier, 30% Participation in debates   Continuous assessment:  60%
Semester Exam 2 hours  40%
Supplementary Exam 1 x 2 hour examination if continuous assessment submitted. 1 x 3 hour examination if no continuous assessment submitted.  100%

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Read in a critical way intellectually challenging articles and books in French.
2. Analyze in a critical manner the cultural, legal, political and social issues in France.
3. Develop highly written structures and use proficient teminology in French.
4. Develop oral structures and the skills for oral presentations in French.

Aims

This module should enable students to analyze in a critical manner the political, social, cultural and legal affairs taking place in France. (It will cover the very latest developments affecting French life in each academic year).

Brief description

This module, conducted in French, offers a thematic exploration of current affairs in contemporary France. The four themes present a variety of perspectives on cultural, legal, political and social issues. Introductory lectures provide a background of information and will guide students towards an investigation of breaking news. They will be expected to contribute extensively to the seminars and debates which will also be conducted in French. Students will have to search for further material allied to the themes studied in the national and regional newspapers, governmental official websites, official web pages and political parties' manifestos. The content of this module will be of great importance when students go to France or to a Francophone country in their Year Abroad.

The exam will be in the target language (2 hours written). The mark of the written exam and the continuous assessment will be equally based on content and language.

This module will analyze 4 topics which are as follows:
  • The French political system: the National Assembly, the Senate, national and regional elections, political parties and their programs
  • The current social debate in France.
  • Understanding the very latest legal changes affecting a variety of issues (e.g. the debate on gay marriages)
  • The social debate, the political responses and the legal reforms will be analyzed within the content.

Content

  • The current linguistic situation in France (the European Charter of Regional or Minority Languages and the position of the French goverment).
  • Immigration policies and their implications on today's France.
  • Reforming the traditional structures of French society (economic, social, educational, etc).
  • An open topic depending on the very latest issues in French society (elections, war issues, the European Constitution, etc).

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Arithmetic and statistical analysis of data (surveys, opinion polls, etc).
Communication Oral presentation and debates.
Improving own Learning and Performance Research, analytical skills, oral presentations, written dossiers.
Information Technology Official web pages, online journals and newspapers.
Personal Development and Career planning Research, oral presentations, dossiers and critical analysis of data and comparative analysis of news covered in different media.
Problem solving Selection of reading material.
Research skills Research of adequate material on specific topic.
Subject Specific Skills Original thinking and development of personal opinion.
Team work Team research strategies and team network of research material.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5