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2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
FREN2245 The French Language Today
15 creditsClass Size: 12
Module manager: Dr Nigel Armstrong
Email: N.R.Armstrong@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 equivalentThis module is mutually exclusive with
FREN2240 | The French Language Today |
Module replaces
FREN2241/2243This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
For non-linguists, language is for talking about something, and not something to be talked about. From this perspective language is primarily a tool for communication rather than an object of study in its own right. Yet clearly, language is central both to thought and to cultural identity, and the serious student of French will seek a deeper understanding of how the language works. A systematic or linguistic approach to the study of language offers a means of understanding, beyond the superficial level, how the French think about themselves and their culture; and what distinguishes French from other languages. The course will look therefore at aspects of French both as a linguistic system and as an expression of cultural behaviour. We will firstly introduce the notion of the linguistic structure of French, subsequently using examples taken from the sound system, the vocabulary and the grammar so as to describe and analyse French. Secondly, we look on the one hand at the way French speakers use their language to express their social and personal identity, with the inevitable tendency to variation and change that implies, and on the other hand at the institutional forces that attempt to suppress change. NB This course builds on the Level 1 French courses 'Sounds of French' and 'Evolution of French'. Knowledge of French phonetics and a broad acquaintance with the history of French will be advantageous, and indeed satisfactory completion of at least one of these modules is strongly advised for enrolment on this course. Applications from students who have not previously studied French linguistics will be considered individually on the basis of other courses completed in Level 1.Pre-requisite: Completion of Level 1 French course or equivalent at the discretion of the Course DirectorObjectives
1. A linguistic framework and the terminology necessary for the description and analysis of contemporary French;2. An understanding of the underlying structures of French on the different levels of linguistic analysis: sounds, words and sentences
3. An understanding of the mechanisms of variation and change at work in French, as manifested in the mutual influence of speech and writing and the influence of social factors;
4. An enhancement of competence and performance in the target language
Syllabus
For the non-specialist, language is for talking about something, and not something to be talked about. From this perspective language is primarily a tool for communication rather than an object of study in its own right. Yet clearly language is central both to thought and to cultural identity and the serious student of French will seek a deeper understanding of how the language works. A systematic or linguistic approach to the study of language offers a means of understanding, beyond the superficial level, of how French people think about themselves and their culture and what distinguishes French from oher languages.
The course will look therefore at aspects of French both as a linguistic system and as an expression of cultural behaviour. We will firstly introduce the notion of the linguistic structure of French, subsequently using examples taken from the sound system, the vocabulary and the grammar that describe and analyse French. Secondly we look on the one hand at the way French speakers use the living language to express their social and personal identity, with the inevitable tendency to variation and change that implies, and on the other hand at the institutional forces that attempt to suppress change.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 14 | 1.00 | 14.00 |
Seminar | 7 | 1.00 | 7.00 |
Private study hours | 129.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 21.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 |
Private study
25 hours background reading for lectures and seminars;74 hours preparation for seminar presentations;
15 hours researching for essay;
15 hours revision for exam
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
January examination; fortnightly seminar work to be handed in for monitoringMethods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Essay | 1,500 words in English at the end of second term | 34.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 34.00 |
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 | 66.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 66.00 |
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 websiteLast updated: 20/04/2016
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