Module: French Literature & Visual Studies

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	French Literature & Visual Studies
Module Code	FRE1009 (ITS: FR285)
Faculty	SALIS	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Students will study several major modern and contemporary French and/or Francophone literary and cinematic works in order to develop their analytical, reading, and aural skills, as well as their understanding of artistic production and of French-speaking cultures in a global context. Students will explore the cultural and literary background from which these works emerged and develop a critical toolkit for the analysis of literary text and film in French. The module is delivered through French/English.

Learning Outcomes

1. Interpret literary and filmic artefacts arising out of the contemporary French-speaking world.
2. Identify the socio-cultural backgrounds to these films and or texts.
3. In written expression (and oral expression, where appropriate), display a good understanding of the cultural, artistic and literary trends that shaped the contemporary French-speaking world within a global context.
4. Manipulate relevant critical tools for an informed understanding of these films and/or texts.
5. Inscribe his/her written critical discourse in an organised, structured and informed manner.
6. Engage in critical conversations that underpin Global Citizenship.

Total Workload: 0

Section Breakdown
CRN	20460	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Dervila Cooke	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
In Class Test	Short in-class test assessing knowledge hitherto acquired.	30%	n/a
Assignment	End of semester essay.	70%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Suggested reading
Birkett, Jennifer & Kearns, James A Guide to French Literature: From Early Modern to Postmodern Palgrave, 1997

Brozgal, L., & Kippur, S. (Eds.). (2016). Being Contemporary: French Literature, Culture and Politics Today. Liverpool University Press.

Contemporary French and francophone studies, (e-journal) Oxfordshire, UK: Taylor & Francis, 2004-

https://www.ina.fr/

https://www.bnf.fr/fr/litterature-francaise

http://weblitteraire.blogspot.com/

https://www.etudes-litteraires.com/

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Marjanne Satrapi: 2007, Persépolis (Tome 3), Panthéon Books,
Leïla Slimani: 0, Chanson Douce, Gallimard,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None