AZA1061 - French and francophone studies 1 - 2017

French and Francophone Studies 1 teaches students basic French language skills (speaking / listening / reading / writing). It also introduces students to Francophone African cultures. The unit is designed for students with very little or no knowledge of the French language. In the language section of the unit, students are regularly assessed through homework and class tests designed to highlight the continuous nature of language learning and the need for frequent practice. The specialised African Francophone cultural component will provide a medium through which not only the language, but also African societies, their histories (colonial and post-colonial) are taught within the context of culture.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should have met the following objectives:

1. The capacity to use basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills required to communicate in French in a limited set of situations: Discuss, write about and understand others talking in French about issues such as self family and to convey basic needs as they relate to everyday tasks such as ordering a meal when eating out, negotiating transport and shopping.
2. The ability to read short texts.
3. Demonstrate their knowledge of the basic structures and sounds of the French language such as present and near future tenses, articles, adjectives, pronouns, and so on.
4. Demonstrate a knowledge of vocabulary appropriate to communicating in the situations described above.
5. Be aware of different language learning strategies.
6. Demonstrate socio-cultural awareness: Acquire knowledge which will help students understand and appreciate the importance of Africa, its culture, literature and local history including the diaspora.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of issues of aspects of language and culture such as race , identity and violence.
8. Develop and demonstrate an understanding of literature, film, and other cultural texts as fused into the colonial and post-colonial studies as they relate to Francophone African history.
9. Develop research skills.

Within semester assessment: 75% + Exam: 25%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Joseph Minga

French studies - South Africa

ATS1061