Module Identifier FR12910  
Module Title IMAGES OF FRANCE THROUGH CHILDHOOD MEMORY  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Bruno M L Sibona  
Semester Semester 2  
Pre-Requisite Eligibility for entry to Level 1 French  
Course delivery Lecture   10 hours  
  Seminars / Tutorials   10 seminars  
  Workload Breakdown   Lecture and seminar attendance - 14 hours; lecture and seminar preparation and follow-up work (research and reading) - 60 hours; essay research and preparation - 26 hours.  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam1x2 Hours written examination (2 essay questions, equally weighted).70%
Semester Assessment Continuous assessment 1 x 1,500-2,000-word essay.30%
Supplementary Assessment 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 French contemporary literary texts comfortably.
2. Have a better understanding of French 20th c. literature in its historical and cultural context.
3. Develop a finer cultural awareness and knowledge of France and its images through its literary representations.
4. Have an understanding of the relationship between memory and literature in French 20th c. literary texts.

Aims

The aims of this module are to introduce students to French literary texts, to facilitate and to encourage their reading of French 20th c. literature.
With this module, students will develop a two-fold awareness of, on the one hand, the representation of childhood, and, on the other hand, the articulation of the relationship between memory and literature in some French contemporary, mostly short and autobiographical texts.

Brief description

This module, divided in two parts and taught in French, will first explore the literary representation of a rural happy childhood in France over the first half of the 20th c., then the literary dealings with an urban problematic childhood over the 2nd half of the 20th c.
With the combined reading of deliberately short autobiographical texts by major French novelists and some relevant films, the objective is to allow students to assimilate their reading practice as well as to deepen their understanding of general themes more confidently.

Content

The module will consist of a study of the following texts/documents: Jean GIONO, 'Jean le bleu' (Hachette/Le Livre de Poche, 1974); COLETTE, 'La Maison de Claudine' (Hachette/Le Livre de Poche, 1960/1990); Azouz BEGGAG, Le Gone du Chaaba (Seuil/Points-virgule, 1986). Some references to relevant French films will be made (Rene Clement, Jeux interdits, (1952); Francois TRUFFAUT, Les 400 coups (1959); Yves ROBERT, La Guerre des boutons (1962); Christophe Ruggia, 'Le Gone du Chaaba' (1998)).

Module Skills

Problem solving Selection of reading material; answering questions posed by written assessment; seminar work.  
Research skills Preparation of written assessment; preparation for seminars.  
Communication Oral communication developed in seminars (not assessed); written communication developed in assessments and exam.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will be able to assess their own progress week by week through their increased understanding of the issues raised and the skills developed.  
Team work Discussions in seminars.  
Information Technology Use of on-line journals and source collections; delivery of course materials and information via email and e-learning system.  
Application of Number Not really developed.  
Personal Development and Career planning Acquisition of transferable skills; acquaintance with literary study as an academic subject.  
Subject Specific Skills Acquisition of French language skills.  

Reading Lists

Books
** Should Be Purchased
BEGGAG, Azouz (1986) Le Gone du Châaba Seuil 2020090503
COLETTE (1990) La Maison de Claudine Livre de Poche 2253004286
GIONO, Jean (1974) Jean le bleu Livre de Poche 2253000221

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4