French 705 involves high-level exposure to the language, cultures and contemporary issues of France and the French-speaking world through an immersive classroom environment and independent study. Students will engage with and reflect critically on a wide range of authentic texts, in French, on nuanced and complex topics relevant to the modern world.
Complex features of the French language will be (re-)presented, in French, through a variety of authentic media, and practised in the four skills areas of reading, listening, speaking and writing. Students will also hone metalinguistic and supra-linguistic competencies via practice in textual analysis, summarising and synthesis, and critical debate.
By the end of the course, in order to obtain a pass grade, students will demonstrate an overall command of both oral and written comprehension and production equivalent to DALF C1 language competency (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Coursework includes both written and online multimedia assignments, an oral presentation, oral classwork, a 5000 word portfolio, as well as final oral and written tests.
The portfolio topic and methodology will be defined collaboratively with the course convenor as an extension of classroom learning, to further explore and develop students' area(s) of interest and expertise.