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French Language and Cultures: Advanced - LAN00066I

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module combines an in-depth study of French with analysis of cultural and social phenomena. Students will develop knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in French at an advanced level through engagement with key historical, social, cultural and political aspects of a selection of French-speaking countries around the world.

Related modules

Pre-requisite module

Understanding French-speaking Cultures and Societies (ab initio) or French Language and Cultures: Upper intermediate or equivalent level of French.

Available as an elective.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

This module aims at building up knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in French and to develop a plurilingual and pluricultural communicative competence at advanced level. Students will discuss, research and analyse more complex issues of contemporary societies and cultures related to French-speaking communities. Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities emphasising three modes of communication: 1) reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension); 2) production activities (oral and written production); 3) interaction (oral, written and online interaction). The medium of instruction is French.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key facts relating to the French speaking world,

  • understand a wide variety of written, audiovisual and digital texts, including literary writings, newspapers, political discourses and/or scholarly articles,

  • give detailed descriptions and presentations on complex topics, developing particular points and to produce well-structured expositions of complex topics, underlining the relevant salient issues,

  • express themselves effectively, with clarity and precision and to achieve a good command of a broad lexical repertoire, and

  • explain the background to and interpret and discuss aspects of cultural values and practices drawing on intercultural encounters, readings, speeches, art, film, etc.

Module content

The topics covered might include:

  • The emergence of the concept of Francophonie (origines, réception, évolution)

  • French as an international language

  • The Democratic Republic of Congo: colonial past to present day (le Congo belge, Tintin au Congo, la décolonisation et le legs de Patrice Lumumba, la mémoire coloniale en RDC etc)

  • Sénégal: colonial past to present day (Île de Gorée, Monument de la Renaissance africaine, L’Afrique de papa, les militants de la contestation)

  • Haïti : colonial past to present day (La révolution haïtienne et la dette de l'indépendance, les Duvalier, les catastrophes naturelles, la construction de la société moderne)

  • Québec: language and identity (la colonisation et les premières nations, la Loi 101, la question de l'indépendance)

  • Belgium: language and identity(la création d’une nation, les tensions communautaires, la scission possible de la Belgique)

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Module feedback

Formative assessment and feedback

  • Formative tasks done individually or in groups throughout the module

  • Feedback will include written comments and oral feedback during class discussions.

Summative assessment and feedback

  • Students will be given written feedback and marks for their work within the University mandated schedule.

Indicative reading

The module convenor will provide students with reading and further material for the module.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.