B2596 - Culture and Civilization of French-Speaking Countries (Second Language)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module, the student is familiar with the basic elements of the culture of French-speaking countries; he/she is capable of independently developing further knowledge and analytical and cultural skills relating to the society of French-speaking countries.

Course contents

French is spoken by some 200 million people around the world, in distant and very different countries, for example Switzerland, Madagascar, Senegal or Canada. This course aims to explore a (unfortunately infinitesimal) part of the linguistic and cultural differences that can be encountered in the world of Francophonie. We will begin with a brief summary of how and when French was born and, above all, how it spread across the world until it is spoken today on five continents. We will then provide an overview of the different cultures that use this language and their ways of appropriating it. We will also study the birth and present-day role of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.

Readings/Bibliography

No prior reading is necessary. The material to be read or viewed will be uploaded to Virtuale or distributed in class.

Teaching methods

The course includes:

Reading articles intended to deepen knowledge about the different cultures of Francophonie and the different variants of French that exist.

Listening to audios intended to familiarize oneself with the different accents and varieties of French.

Reading excerpts from literary texts from Quebec and some countries on the African continent.

Small in-class presentations by the students on the theme of Francophonie.

Please note that the lessons of the course require 70% attendance by the student.

Assessment methods

The course includes an oral and a written examination.

Written examination (50% of the final grade):

Notional questions and writing a short essay on an theme related to Francophonie today.

Oral examination (50% of the final grade):

Questions on the course content to be answered by the student for approximately 8 minutes.

An extra point may be awarded for the presentation given in class.

 

Grade scale:

30L: special interest shown for the topic and excellent critical skills and knowledge of the French Language

30 excellent critical skills and knowledge of the French language.

29 above average critical skills knowledge of the French language.

28: above average critical skills and good knowledge of the French language.

27: Sound critical skills and good knowledge of the French language.

26: Generally sound critical skills and relatively good knowledge of the French language

25: Generally adequate critical skills but with no particular capacity of personal thought. Adequate knowledge of the French language,

24: Adequate critical skills but with no particular capacity of personal thought. Sufficient knowledge of the French language

from 18 to 23 : Sufficient critical skills and sufficient knowledge of the French language.

under 18: Poor critical skills, incomplete reading of assigned texts, little knowledge of the French language.

Teaching tools

The material to be read or viewed will be uploaded to Virtuale or distributed in class.

Office hours

See the website of Walter Julien Alberisio