Core modules
In your first you will take language classes designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of written and spoken French

You will also take a core History module called Making of the Modern World which contextualises later modern history by providing a framework in which major historical processes of the later modern era are studied on a world-wide scale You will also be able to choose one French and one History module in your first

Having acquired foundation skills in your first you will go on to develop your language skills on our compulsory language modules in the intermediate and final You can also explore your own particular interests beyond the language

Our modules reflect the research specialisms of academics in the French and History departments French modules cover a broad range of subjects including culture society literature politics philosophy film and history

Important information

We are planning to make some exciting changes to our French and History (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)

or

Modern French Language for Beginners
As a beginner in the acquisition of the French language you will cover the main linguistic skills in speaking listening writing and reading You will focus on gaining grammatical accuracy as well as communicative fluency and competence By the end of the you will be expected to be able to sustain everyday conversations in French read authentic texts such as newspaper articles follow the gist of TV video extracts and be able to write an intermediate range of texts in French You will also work on basic translations to and from French as a means of consolidating your knowledge

Read more about the Modern French Language for Beginners moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

History modules

Making of the Modern World
We live in the here and now But what got us here? This module studies the string of major social political and cultural developments that established our modern world Radical (and not so radical) ideas from the Enlightenment the industrial revolution’s structural transformations of how we work build and buy things and the struggles and stumbles of imperialism capitalism and globalisation have gone far to set terms of life in the twenty-first century The module will also help you develop your critical voice as a historian while asking comparative questions about historical difference across the world

Read more about the Making of the Modern World moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2021 22 of study)

Plus one optional module in History (30 credits)

A French cultural module

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)

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

Read more about the Modern French Language 2 moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

or

Modern French Language 2 (Post-beginners)
You will increase the range of your general and specialised vocabulary in French improve your speaking listening and comprehension skills and develop your ability to translate from French including through a sound knowledge of grammar register semantic nuances and style There will be opportunities to write in French and to work on materials applicable to real-life situations

Read more about the Modern French Language 2 (Post-beginners) 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 credits) and in History (60 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 credits) and in History (60 credits)