Module information for incoming Erasmus and Exchange students interested in modules in French Studies.
The following courses in the French Department are offered for degree (licence) level Erasmus students. Masters level Erasmus students may also opt to do any of these courses but, additionally, may also elect to choose from additional courses detailed at the end of this list.
Modules for Erasmus students
The Translation, Comprehension and Civilisation course in the French Department is compulsory for all LLCE and LEA Erasmus students coming from exchange universities in France and optional for Erasmus students from other countries. It has a credit value of 20 credits.
French Cinema, Media and Visual Culture (20 credits)
This module assumes some knowledge about French cinema and skills in reading film. It offers in Semester 1, a full introduction to one of the most important movements in twentieth-century French cinema, the Nouvelle Vague (New Wave). This is followed in Semester 2 by introduction to the analysis and study of up to three other forms of visual culture: photography, visual arts, advertising and television (depending on staff availability). Films are prescribed in Semester 1, while in Semester 2 students are guided in the selection of photographs, visual art, advertisements (print and televised) and films as a corpus for their individual project.
Assessment: One 2 hour class test. (50%) One individual guided project in English (2,500-3,000 words), submitted after Semester 2. (50%)
Renaissance to Realism (20 credits)
This course studies selected literary works from the 16th to the 19th century, putting them into their historical, literary and intellectual context, examining authorial perspective and style, and analysing compositional techniques, thematic and narrative structure, and critical/representational objective.
Assessment: One essay/commentary in English, for submission after Semester 1 (50%). One 2-hour written examination in English in the Semester 2 examination period (50%)
La France moderne 2 (20 credits) This course will not be relevant to students coming from France .
Assuming a basic historical knowledge of France since 1789, this course provides a deeper examination of key issues in France . Semester 1 covers the key area of national identity within France whilst Semester 2 provides a grounding in recent foreign policy issues and the study of a contemporary cultural text related to the problems of urban development.
Assessment: One assessed essay in French of 1500 words (50%). One 2 hour written examination (50%).
Politics Culture and Society in 19th and 20th Century France (20 credits)
This module assumes a basic knowledge of French history and politics. It examines documents, visual images and literary texts from the revolutionary period to the mid-twentieth century.
Assessment: One assessed essay in English of 2000 words (50%). One 2 hour written examination (50%)
French Text and Interpretation (20 credits)
This module will introduce students to a range of 17th-century to 20th-century French narrative texts (literary and visual), and will familiarise them with a range of interpretational practices that may be applied to them.
Assessment: One 2 hour class test in English in December (50%). One assessed essay in English of 2000 words (50%)
Masters Level Erasmus students only
Masters level Erasmus students may choose from a further list of specialist options. These vary from year to year. Please ask which modules are available when you arrive in Birmingham.
For further information contact:
Dr Béatrice Damamme-Gilbert (from 1 August 2011)
Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5969
Email: B.L.Y.Damamme-Gilbert@bham.ac.uk