Module Identifier
FR12910
Module Title
IMAGES OF FRANCE THROUGH CHILDHOOD MEMORY
Academic Year
2008/2009
Co-ordinator
Dr Bruno M L Sibona
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
Eligibility for entry to Level 1 French

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
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 Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Continuous assessment 1 x 1,500-2,000-word essay.  30%
Semester Exam 2-hour examination (2 essay questions, equally weighted).  70%
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); Yves ROBERT, La Guerre des boutons (1962); Francois TRUFFAUT, Les 400 coups (1959), Christophe Ruggia, Le Gone du Chaaba (1998)).


Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Not really developed.
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.
Information Technology Use of on-line journals and source collections; delivery of course materials and information via email and e-learning system.
Personal Development and Career planning Acquisition of transferable skills; acquaintance with literary study as an academic subject.
Problem solving Selection of reading material; answering questions posed by written assessment; seminar work.
Research skills Preparation of written assessment; preparation for seminars.
Subject Specific Skills Acquisition of French language skills.
Team work Discussions in seminars.

Reading List

Should Be Purchased
BEGGAG, Azouz (1986) Le Gone du Châaba Seuil Primo search COLETTE (1990) La Maison de Claudine Livre de Poche Primo search GIONO, Jean (1974) Jean le bleu Livre de Poche Primo search

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4