2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FREN2260 Black Atlantic: African and Caribbean Culture in French

20 creditsClass Size: 14

Module manager: Dr Andrew Stafford
Email: A.J.Stafford@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

Pre-requisite qualifications

Satisfactory completion of Level 1 French or equivalent

This module is mutually exclusive with

FREN2265

Black Atlantic

Module replaces

FREN2261/2262

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Following Paul Gilroy's seminal study, The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness (1993), this level 2 course explores the complex historical, cultural and political links between Francophone Africa and the Caribbean. It follows cultural phenomena - short story, essay, poem - from French-speaking West Africa, across the Atlantic to les Antilles, in order to establish the extent to which Africa and the Caribbean have been and remain 'in dialogue'. The course moves around the 'triangular' route of the slave trade, travelling West and then East, but always via a 'detour' through France. Oral culture, 'creolisation' and African 'authenticity' are discussed in relation to historical and political realities in both Africa and the Caribbean, and the course considers the merits and demerits of independence from, and incorporation into, French postcolonial rule.Pre-requisite: Completion of Level 1 French course or equivalent at the discretion of the Course Director

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- debate the status of French as a world language
- discuss the changing nature of 'French Studies'
- consider Francophone cultures in their diversity and similarity
- begin a study of: colonial history, decolonization, post-colonial theory, narrative strategies in oral culture, the short story and poetry

- discuss and analyze non-metropolitan French writing and cinema
- relate texts to historical, political and linguistic issues
- identify and investigate cultural identities
- appreciate France in relation to its colonies and ex-colonies

Syllabus

Following Paul Gilroy's seminal study, The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness (1993), this level 2 course explores the complex historical, cultural and political links between Francophone Africa and the Caribbean. It follows cultural phenomena - short story, essay, poem - across the Atlantic, in order to establish the extent to which Africa and the Caribbean have been and remain 'in dialogue'. The course moves across the 'triangular' route of the slave trade, moving West and then East, but always via a 'detour' through France. 'Negritude', 'creolisation' and African authenticity will be discussed in relation to historical and political realities in both Africa and the Caribbean, and the course finishes with consideration of the merits and demerits of independence from, and incorporation into, French postcolonial rule.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			170.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

50 hours background reading for lectures and seminars; 90 hours preparation for seminar presentations; 15 hours researching for essay; 15 hours revision for exam

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored by group summaries of the week's work submitted to the course tutor in French. Following each week of lectures and seminars a group of students will summarize in French the main points described and discussed in each week.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,500 words in English	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: 20/04/2016

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