This module is inactive in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.

2011/12 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FREN3651 Contemporary Political Issues in France

20 creditsClass Size: 14

Module manager: Dr Sarah Waters
Email: S.A.Waters@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2011/12

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of L2 French or equivalent

Module replaces

Contemporary Political Issues FREN3101

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Contemporary French politics is often characterised by a situation of 'crisis': growing disaffection, a withdrawal from participation, a decline of traditional political structures, a retreat into the private sphere, are all aspects of a profound crisis within French public life. The French, according to some observers, have turned away from politics and are no longer prepared to engage in collective struggles and causes. This module will explore the current crisis affecting French politics. We will examine contemporary debates surrounding the notion of a crise de la politique or a malaise dans la représentation, looking at examples of recent political writing on this subject. - What are the causes and dimensions of this crisis? - How can it be justified or explained? - We will go on to look at the practice of French politics in a number of key areas including, elections and the Constitution.- What are the challenges confronting established political structures and practices? - To what extent is the French Constitution in need of radical reform? We will also consider a number of other contemporary issues and themes such as, decentralisaton, parité and la gauche de la gauche.

Objectives

The aim of the module is to investigate some of the fundamental questions and debates affecting the practice of politics within the contemporary French context.

On completion of this module, students will be expected to show a critical understanding of key aspects of contemporary French politics, and the ability to interpret these issues as reported in the French media.

Learning outcomes
Students will develop their critical knowledge and their analytical skills in relation to contemporary French politics and they will be expected to discuss and debate these issues in the target language at a reasonable intellectual level.

Skills outcomes
- Students will develop their analytical skills and in particular, a capacity to interpret and understand polemical texts in the target language (newspaper articles, political speeches, tracts).
- Students will develop their communicative skills and particularly a capacity to construct reasoned arguments and points of view in the target language.
- The module will enhance students' linguistic skills through the study and discussion of core texts in the target language.

Syllabus

The module will cover:
- fundamental aspects of the contemporary French political system, including the state tradition, centralisation and elections;
- current issues and developments, including the crise de la représentation, decentralisation, the Constitution, parité and the mouvement des chômeurs

Course structure
- Programme; Introduction; Questions: 'La vie politique en France'; Discussion: 'Une crise de la représentation?' (SW)
- Vers une VI République? (SW); Travaux dirigés: Analyse de texte (Vakalouis et al. 'Les métamorphoses de la politique')
- La gauche de la gauche (AS)
- La parité (SW); Travaux dirigés: La parité (Tremblay: débats parlementaires sur la parité)
- La mondialisation (SW). Comparaison des texts de A. Touraine et P. Bourdieu
- Le mouvement des chômeurs (SW); Travaux dirigés: Analyse de texte (Bourdieu, Lebaron & Mauger 'Les actions des chômeurs flambent'
- Les intellectuals et la politique: Le cas de P. Bourdieu; Video
- L'extreme droite en France. Discussion
- L'administration locale et la décentralisation (SW); Travaux dirigés: 'La grande affaire du septennat' & débat;
- Cours de révision; Questionnaires.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- 80 hours seminar preparation
- 100 hours private reading round the subject.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Contribution to group discussions and debates in seminars
- 2,500 word formative essay submitted in week 7.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,500 words, in French	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/02/2012

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD