French at Durham

TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a University > University Guides > Durham University > French at Durham

An insider's view.

This article aims to give a subjective view of certain modules available in Durham's French and Italian departments in order to help prosepctive students choose which universities to choose by giving them a more in depth view of the available modules, and also to help current students make a decision about future modules.

French

Level 1

'French Language 1' 1 hour weekly grammar/translation seminar 1 hour weekly language lab 1 hour fortnightly oral class The core module for year 1 French (compulsary). Basically a revision of all the grammar you covered at A2, but into more detail. E.g. lots on the difference between the imperfect, pasthistoric and passé composé. Translation. Oral class is contemporary topics in small groups of 8-15 students with a native speaker. Continuously assessed. Language lab is listening practise, and résumé. Assessment: Oddly, the French department offers preliminary exams (2nd term) in translation, grammar, and listening (watch a video, transcription and summary of a newspaper article). If you score above 50% in each of these exams, you are exempt from exams during the usual exam period. WARNING - to pass the requirements for preliminary exams, you must alos have attended over 80% of every class for the module, otherwise, even if you pass the preliminaries, you will still be required to take exams during the usual period, including an oral exam.

Reading French Literature 1 hour weekly lecture 1 hour 3 weekly seminar An introduction to all kinds of French literature, from medieval to 20th century, drama to poetry. The texts currently studied are: Marie de France, Guigemar (departmental booklet) Anthology of French Poetry (departmental booklet) Molière, L’Ecole des femmes Michel Tournier, Le Coq de Bruyère Maupassant, Bel-Ami A very comprehensive course, taught in English. Helps you decide which period/genre of literature you might like to specialise in in future years. Also great for any people who haven't studied French literature before because it eases you in gently to it. You will learn how to write a literary commentary, a skill which is incredibly useful throughout your university career. Assesment: 1 x 1000 word commentary (15%), 1 x 1500 word essay (25%) and 1 exam (60%)

Language, Power and the Making of the French Nation 1 x hour weekly lecture 1 x hour fortnightly seminar

Basically the complete history of the French language and its importance in history. You begin to learn linguistic terms and also get a good overview of the history of France. Francophonie, verlan, Old French, the Revolution - you name it, it's there. Lectures discussing periods up to 1729 are in English, those after are in French. The texts you study will all be published in a departmental booklet. Very interesting course, and a good option for those wishing to avoid studying modules that are solely literature-based. Assessment: same as above, but commentary = 500 words, essay = 1500 words.

Also available: Literature and Culture in Modern France (taught and assessed in French)

Level 2

French Language 2 1 x hour weekly translation and composition seminar 1 x hour weekly oral This module aims to prepare you for your year abroad, so you deal generally with topics about contemporary France. Current affairs are particularly important for the oral class and many homeworks will involve reading the news. You will also learn how to write a CV and covering letter in French. You'll do a translation every week and occasionally an essay as exam practise. Assessment: 75% written exam with a translation and an essay, 25% oral exam, with a presentation. Your year abroad assessment will eventually count towards 50% of your mark for this module.

Medieval and 16th Century French Literature 1 x hour weekly lecture 1 x fortnightly seminar This course (taught and aseessed in English) is one of Durham's strong points. The department has many medieval and renaissance experts, due to the masters it runs on the very subject, so you really do get some of Durham's best staff on this module. You study 5 major works fromt this period: La Chanson de Roland (one of the most famous medieval romances) Aucassin and Nicolette Rabelais' Gargantua Ronsard's sonnets Louise Labé's sonnets It gives you a fantastic overview not only of the literature of the time but also the culture of the time - things like Humanism, neo-platonism and the petrarchan tradition. Highy recommended! Assessment: 1000 word commentary (20%), 1500 word essay (30%), 2 hour exam (50%)

Also available: 17th and 18th Century French Literature (taught and assessed in English) French Literature and Culture in the 20th Century (taught and assessed in French) Politics and Culture of Contemporary France (taught and assessed mainly in English, but with one coursework element in French) Introduction to Francophone Literature and Culture 9taught and examined in English) French Syntax and Vocabulary (taught and assessed in English)

Level 4

French Language 4 1 x hour weekly essay seminar 1 x hour weekly oral class For the essay part of the module, you will spend the majority of the year looking at articles, and doing examination exercises which include summarising the text, finding synonyms, answering grammar questions and the dreaded 'stylistique' section which asks you to take a phrase and analyse the use of certain words or expression. Never fear though, the training for this is really good and the module is immaculately structured. For the oral component you still largely concentrate on current affairs. Every person does a mock presentation at some point in the year to get practise for the exam where you will have to give a 7 minute presentation on a topic of your choice with a visual support (i.e. a nice bit of work on MS Publisher!). Assessment: Written exam (50%), oral exam (50%)

The Romance of the Grail 1 x hour weekly lecture 1 x hour fortnightly seminar This truly excellent module traces the history of the Grail legend from the medieval era when it was first written down by French author Chrétien de Troyes up to contemporary interpretations like Indiana Jones and Monty Python films! Also covered are works by Tennyson, another film by Nouvelle Vague director Eric Rohmer and a variety of other texts. Fascinating. It remains to be seen whether this module will be running next year, however as it's current coordinator is retiring. Let's hope so!! Taught and assessed in English. Assessment: 1000 word essay (20%), 2000 word essay (30%), exam (50%)

Writing and Criminality 1 x hour weekly lecture 1 x hour fortnightly seminar This module focuses on two (in)famous French authors whose work was strongly influenced by the fact that they were both criminals, despite them writing over 500 years apart. François Villion's 'Testament' and Jean Genet's 'Journal du Voleur' will be analysed with reference to language and technique as well as the contexts in which they were written. Vey interesting module, particularly as they are both at first glance very different to one another. Taught and assessed in English. Assessment: 1200 word commentary (20%), 1800 word essay (30%), exam (50%)

Also available: Dissertation in French French Translation 17th Century Tragic Drama Proust and Gide French Anthropology and Literature Women in Molière's Theatre and 17th Century French Society Marketing and the Media in France Contemporary French Writers: Autobiography and Fiction Modernity and the City The Fantastic in French Literature and Film French Cinema: 1930s to the 1990s Sexual Dissidence in French Literature Travel and the Stars in 16th Century France Galenterie and Libertinage in 17th and 18th Century French Culture

It must be said that once you get to 4th year, any module that you take will be excellent as they are normally coordinated by one member of staff who has a strong interest in that area. The groups also get much smaller (max. 30 people per module) allowing you more space to flourish.

For more information see: [1]