ATS3067 - French studies advanced 1 - 2018

This unit involves students in teaching and learning activities equally developing language skills and cultural competence. Students will develop analytical reading skills and advanced writing skills focussing on textual coherence and cohesion as well as morpho-syntactic accuracy. Oral work will develop expository techniques needed to present the contents of articles taken from the French press. Students develop advanced language skills and competence in the theory, research methodology and practices, and discourses involved in sophisticated critical enquiry, understanding and analysis in an area of French studies, working under guidance to define and write a research essay.

Upon completion of this unit students should have:

1. reinforced their ability to communicate and interact efficiently in French both in oral and written form by using appropriate techniques of exposition;
2. developed their reading comprehension and oral production skills so as to be able to communicate the main points contained in a newspaper article, reformulating, structuring and explaining its content;
3. developed their writing skills to a level where they can plan and compose an expository text using appropriate vocabulary, expressions and syntax and .demonstrate an awareness of issues of textual grammar (coherence and cohesion);
4. enhanced their command of morpho-syntax and stylistics, demonstrating extended knowledge of French grammar and awareness of differences between French and English syntax;
5. become familiar with the use of software programs and electronic tools such as a grammar assistant, a bilingual electronic dictionary, an online French dictionary and grammar revision software;
6. developed advanced knowledge and understanding of aspects of modern and contemporary France and its culture, and a developed understanding of and competence in the theory, research methodology, practices and discourses of an area of French studies;
7. acquired the advanced language skills involved in developing critical enquiry and analysis and expressing outcomes and understandings in the framework of a research essay;
8. developed individual and cooperative research skills including transferable research skills in accordance with the Research Skill Development Framework.

Within semester assessment: 100%

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

French studies