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2012/13 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FREN3621 French Culture and the First World War

20 creditsClass Size: 24

Module manager: Dr Alison Fell
Email: a.s.fell@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2012/13

Pre-requisite qualifications

Successful completion of Level 2 French or equivalent

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

This course examines the French writers, artists, journalists, historians and film-makers who have attempted to bear witness to the hitherto unimagined and unimaginable events of the First World War. Students will consider a variety of sources and issues: - propaganda- historiography- memoirs and journalism written by soldiers in the trenches- novels, poetry and art produced in response to the war- women's role in wartime- cinematic and literary representations of the war in subsequent decades- and the various ways in which the war has been commemorated.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should:
(i) demonstrate knowledge and understanding about the social and cultural history of the First World War in France
(ii) be able to engage critically with primary and secondary sources
(iii) demonstrate an ability to carry out individual research in preparing essays and presentations
(iv) demonstrate increased confidence and ability in the handling of complex written French texts.

Skills outcomes
Improved French written and oral communication, and reading and listening skills.

Syllabus

The module will consist of two hours per week for one Semester; one lecture and one seminar.

Students will study the following topics:
(i) introduction to the historiography of WWI
(ii) nationalism and propaganda
(iii) Pacifism and Henri Barbusse
(iv) & (v) Responses of the avant-garde: art and poetry
(vi) the interwar period: 'La Garçonne'
(vii) the interwar period: Renoir's 'La Grande Illusion'
(viii) Recent representations: 'Joyeux Noël'
(ix) Recent representations: 'Un long dimanche...'
(x) Commemoration and 'lieux de mémoire'

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Class tests, exams and assessment	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Viewing of the set films, reading of set texts and background reading for lectures and seminars
- preparation for seminar presentations
- research for the essay; revision for the exam.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Class presentations, class discussions, essay plans.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 words	40.00
Oral Presentation	In pairs, 15 mins, Powerpoint	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Students who either fail the presentation element or are allowed a First Attempt will be asked to submit annotated powerpoint slides as an alternative assignment. This will meet the set learning outcomes.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 20 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: 11/04/2013

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