Semester 1 

Topic: France: Community and Nation

This course will focus on representations of region, city and community in a range of French cinematic and literary works, and how these various forms of local or national representation relate to broader, global concerns. Attention will be given to the historical context (national and international) against which these works were produced and received, including the question of genre.

Semester 2

Topic: French Society and Culture

This course will examine aspects of contemporary French society and culture.

Semester 2

Topic: Social Movements in French history

This course reflects on social movements which have shaped French society in the past and continue to be of importance in present times. Focus is given to three particular themes: women and the French feminist movement, tensions between religion(s) and political power and the migrant presence in France. A broad range of readings, documentaries, film extracts & songs are used as teaching and learning materials.

Aspects of French culture and society

This course aims to further develop students' written and oral expression in French whilst improving their understanding of French current social, cultural and political issues.  Students will improve in particular their ability to understand audio and audio-visual documents selected from French weekly news, using different websites, as well as a variety of other documents from different sources. They will also develop their ability to discuss critically, in French, current affairs. 

French culture on film: the national and the global

In focusing on mainstream French cinema and its ongoing dialogue with international modes of representation, as well as on a variety of texts ranging from the literary to the critical, the objective of this course is for students to acquire a greater understanding of French cultural, social and historical context.  It aims to enhance students' language skills and capacity to contribute to discussion through a critical appreciation of the articulation of space and communities in the films and texts under consideration.

Social movements in French history

The aims of this course is to gain socio-historical competences through the study of French history from both a chronological and critical thematic perspective. Students will be able to critically examine and evaluate the importance of particular social movements in French history linked to the evolving role and status of women, religion(s) and migrants across time.

33 hours of lectures and seminars