French 5

Subject FREN20001 (2014)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2014.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 4 hours per week. 2 x 2-hour tutorial per week
Total Time Commitment:

4 contact hours/week, 5 additional hours/week. Total of 9 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

French 4 or French Intermediate Language & Culture B or a study score of 35 or above in VCE French (5 or above in IB French) or achievement of French 4 standard in placement test or as determined by the French Program.

Subject Code(s): FREN10003 or FREN20017

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

FREN10006 and FREN30003 French 5

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Dr Henry Mera: hmera@unimelb.edu.au

Diane De Saint Leger: ddsl@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

What does it mean to be French in the 21st century? Why should this question be asked? The program will explore the controversies concerning French unity that are currently taking place in France, not only in political terms but primarily as a conception of language and culture. The background to these controversies will also be explored by looking into contemporary debates and what feeds into them from the recent past. To this end, the subject will draw on a range of material from popular culture such as songs, advertisements, news articles, comics, TV shows, sport as well as French cinema and literature to explore and analyse the way in which this identity has been negotiated by individuals or groups of individuals at different points in time. Parallels and contrasts will be made with the various policies and initiatives taken by successive governments to promote national unity and patriotic sentiment (from street names to museums, the army and the republican school). The way this myth of unity was initially construed will also be discussed in the light of key national and international events.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete this subject should:

  • have further developed skills acquired at French 3 and French 4 in terms of résumé and narrative competencies in oral and written form.
  • have developed their use of complex sentences and moods other than the indicative (subjunctive, gerund, present and past participles)
  • have developed their understanding of discourse structure with a particular focus on argumentative competencies (thèse/synthèse/antithèse) in oral and written forms
  • have further developed their ability to use a range of dictionaries and other learning aids (thesaurus, online tools, grammar references, encyclopedia etc) to consolidate and increase their autonomy in their study of the French language and of French-speaking cultures throughout the world
  • be prepared for entry to French 6 in the core subject sequence in French Studies at The University of Melbourne or equivalent
Assessment:
  • A 2 hour in-class written test due mid-semester [20%]
  • A 10 minute oral test due during semester [10%]
  • A research project of 2000 words due during semester [30%]
  • A final 2 hour examination during the examination period [30%]
  • A 500 word reflective written task due in Week 12 [10%]

This subject has the following hurdle requirements:

  • Regular participation in tutorials is required with a minimum of 75% attendance.
  • All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day and in-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Prescribed Texts:
  • Material prepared by the French Program and other texts to be announced
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Development of skills in independent learning
  • Development of skills in critical thinking and in the interpretation of texts
  • Understanding of the social and cultural sensitivity of language use in particular contexts
  • Ability to appreciate different cultural contexts present in French-speaking communities
  • Time management and planning: through managing and organising workloads for required and recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and revision for examinations
  • Development of advanced skills in written French
Related Course(s): Diploma in Modern Languages (French)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: French
French
French
French
Related Breadth Track(s): French - Entry Point 3

Download PDF version.