Core modules
In your first you will take language classes to develop your knowledge and understanding of written and spoken French You will also take the core module The Story of Modern France where you will examine primary texts from major periods and events in French history literature and contemporary politics In Film Studies you will take a module introducing you to formal strategies and critical concepts necessary for analysing films You will choose a further module in the French department in another academic department or in the Language Centre
Having acquired foundation skills in your first you will go on to develop your language skills on more advanced language modules in the intermediate and final You will also be able to pursue your own particular interests beyond the language
Our modules reflect the research specialism of academics in the French department and cover a broad range of subjects in French and Francophone culture society literature politics philosophy film and history
You will continue to spend a quarter of your time on Film Studies
Important information
We are planning to make some exciting changes to our French with Film Studies (BA) degree for 2024 entry We continually review our curricula to reflect developments in the relevant disciplines to deliver the best educational experience The core and optional modules will undergo approval through the University's rigorous academic processes As modules are approved we will update the course information on this webpage It is therefore very important that you check this webpage for the latest information before you apply and prior to accepting an offer Sign up to receive updates
Year One
Modern French Language 1
You will deepen your understanding of French grammar and syntax with the help of tutors experienced in facilitating the transition from A-level to university-level competence You will learn appropriate technical vocabulary and handle complex structures You will develop the skills required to produce authentic and accurate translations of written texts in both English and French Finally writing in formal French introduces you to the structures and methods used to debate ideas on contemporary issues You will increase your reading and comprehension skills and develop your ability to exploit texts for vocabulary idioms syntax and grammatical structures Working with a native speaker in small groups you will discuss topics on contemporary French and Francophone culture and society using audio video and written resources
Read more about the Modern French Language 1 moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)
French cultural modules
The Story of Modern France
Why is modern France so deeply invested in the past? What are the milestones in the creation of modern France? How have notions of France and Frenchness been shaped through the stories told about them? These are some of the questions you will explore through close reading of primary sources from major periods and events in French history You will explore a range of written visual and audio-visual materials from the student posters of May 1968 to prints dating back to the French Revolution and from stories of Charlemagne to films and texts reflecting France’s ongoing preoccupation with its (often controversial) recent past Equipped with these foundations you will be well prepared to study further aspects of French and Francophone culture in the later stages of your degree
Read more about The Story of Modern France moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)
You will choose a further module in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures in another academic department or in the Language Centre
Two modules from Film Studies
Film History and Methods
This module will focus on film and history exploring the various ways film texts have been analysed as reflecting social and cultural historical moments filmmaking movements of particular eras and how films have historicised individuals and events There are many ways to ‘do’ film history and this term will not be an exhaustive survey of the history of cinema Instead it will offer some key contexts methodologies and traditions that have formed the wide-ranging study of film and history
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and
Film Analysis and Methods
This module is concerned with the close reading and interpretation of film texts through close textual analysis Over the course of the module you will acquire the skills and vocabulary necessary to analyse the ways in which meaning is conveyed through the formal properties of film This module is also concerned with the broader applications of close textual analysis By the end of the module and you should be confident in applying your skills of textual analysis in order to interrogate the political dimension of audio-visual texts
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Intermediate Year
Modern French Language 2
You will consolidate and develop the productive and receptive language skills acquired in your first By the end of the module you should have appropriate knowledge of vocabulary and syntactic and grammatical structures to produce written French in two prescribed genres You will develop your skills in translation to and from French with a focus on specific translation problems and increase the accuracy with which you use grammatical structures In spoken French you will comprehend and produce structured spoken French on a range of topics of contemporary significance in the context of simulated scenarios
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A Film module
Hollywood Cinema History Theory Industry
This core module will build on what students have learned about Hollywood in first modules (such as Film History and Screen Technologies) by expanding their knowledge about Hollywood as an industry its history (depending on when it is taught this may extend from the classical period into the post-classical and contemporary period) and theoretical concepts that engage with Hollywood cinema The module will illustrate important aspects about the Hollywood industrial filmmaking system including style genre and stars By first focusing on Hollywood as an industry examining the practices and cultures of film production the module will then consider its ideological influence by promoting specific American values and traditions through political issues such as race and ethnicity
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A selection of optional modules in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (30-60 credits); an approved outside option (0-30 credits)
Final Year
Modern French Language 3
You will consolidate and develop your ability to write and speak confidently and at a level of intellectual sophistication in correct French By the end of the course you should be able to produce a structured written argument on a given topic in French that is grammatically correct idiomatic varied in vocabulary and grammatical structure and in an appropriate register You should be able to translate from French to English and English to French accurately using your detailed knowledge of grammar vocabulary and idiom and employing an appropriate register You will strengthen your skills in pronunciation and intonation and demonstrate these through fluent oral presentation and discussion of an intellectually serious topic
Read more about the Modern French Language 3 moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)
A selection of optional modules in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (30-60 credits); an approved outside option (0-30 credits); and options in Film Studies (30 credits)
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