Module Identifier FR29920  
Module Title LA FRANCE D'AUJOURD'HUI  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Mr Kader Izri  
Semester Semester 2  
Course delivery 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 TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Exam2 Hours written exam40%
Semester Assessment Continuous assessment: 30% Presentation and Dossier, 30% Participation in web debates 60%
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 in 2005-2006. (It will cover only 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:

Content

Module Skills

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

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5