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PL20961: Continuity and change in contemporary French politics and society, 1969 to today

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 12      [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 240
Further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Academic Year
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: ES 50%, EX 50%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (ES 50%)
  • Examination (EX 50%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Description: Aims:
The aim of this unit is to:
* Build and develop understanding of key features of the contemporary French political system and its institutions
* Provide an appreciation of the transformation of politics and policy in France in the post-1968 area.
* Examine relevant contemporary issues in French politics and society.
* Enable students to explore and extract information and ideas from French source material and communicate effectively in French about relevant contemporary debates in French politics and society.
* To study a range of French cultural activities, examining different genres (plays, novels, paintings and/or audiovisual documents)

Learning Outcomes:
After successfully completing this unit students will be able to:
* Demonstrate familiarity in French with key political terminology and concepts of relevant political events in France since 1968;
* Demonstrate a broad and consolidated knowledge of contemporary French politics, culture and society;
* Critically assess the interplay between political, cultural, socioeconomic and international factors in terms of their impact upon contemporary French politics and society;
* Demonstrate confidence in identifying and understanding key debates in contemporary French politics, culture and society;
* have an appreciation of the interplay between politics and culture in the shaping of the French state
* Be equipped with the theoretical and practical tools to engage with cultural artefacts and political issues which articulate the period
* Translate academic content and debates about contemporary French politics and society into practice and application within a professional context
* Engage effectively in debate about contemporary issues in French politics, culture and society in both written and oral formats of communication
* Seek and make positive use of feedback.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, effective communication in the target language, cultural awareness, transferable skills and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit. Language skills are also developed in this unit.

Content:
Content includes:
* Contemporary French political system and institutions
* France, the European Union and its role on the global stage
* Key political and socioeconomic developments and changes in contemporary French politics
* Selection of relevant contemporary issues/debates in French politics and society.
The Unit is taught in French.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL20961 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA(Hons) French and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB08 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Italian) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB05 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and German) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UHPL-AYB18 : BA(Hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Spanish) with Year Abroad (Year 2)
  • UXXX-AYB05 : BSc(Hons) International Management and Modern Languages (French) with Year Abroad (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.