French and Politics

Bachelor's degree

In Belfast City

£ 9,250 + VAT

Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Belfast city (Northern Ireland)

  • Duration

    4 Years

  • Start date

    Different dates available

Overview French is one of the major languages of global trade and of international relations. It is one of the official languages of the European Union, and is the official or administrative language in over 45 countries or regions worldwide. At Queen's, French Studies reflects the dynamism and cultural diversity of the French-speaking world today. Students explore a variety of contemporary issues, time periods and geographical areas through a range of media including art, cinema, linguistics and literature. Studying French offers an insight into the language and society of metropolitan France and opens up exciting vistas of cultures throughout the world. Our degrees cater for Beginners and for students with AS-level and A-level French. Why Queen's?Study Abroad/Placement: between Levels 2 and 3 students spend a period of residence in a French-speaking country. Most students have the possibility of acquiring valuable professional experience in a French-speaking company or school, and take a work-based learning module. Recent students have taught not only in France, but also in the French Caribbean and Canada. Support: students run a lively French society, and staff offer support through a personal tutoring system, a skills development programme, and a structured feedback framework, which aim to enable all students to reach their potential.   Did you know? French courses within the School are ranked 7th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2017 Share this course Share

Facilities

Location

Start date

Belfast City (County Antrim)
See map
University Road, BT7 1NN

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

Entry Requirements   Selection Criteria In addition to the entrance requirements below, it is essential that you read the How We Choose Our Students pdf prior to submitting your UCAS application. Entrance Requirements BA Requirements Post A-level A-level: ABB including A-level French. Note: for applicants who have not studied A-level French then AS-level French grade B would be acceptable in lieu of A-level French. Beginner Level A-level: ABB + GCSE French grade B or evidence of linguistic ability in another language. Note: the Beginners'...

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Subjects

  • Staff
  • French Speaking
  • Teaching
  • University
  • Politics
  • Quality
  • School
  • Grammar
  • Quality Training
  • Global
  • Media
  • Cultural Diversity

Course programme

Course Content (including module information)

Level 1

First year is designed to enhance students' practical language skills and all students take one core language module.

Students of Beginners’ French benefit from an intensive language course designed to bring them to A-level standard within a year. All other students take classes in comprehension, writing, translation and oral skills, which focus on contemporary social and cultural issues.

Most students also take French for Business and Professional Purposes, while Law with French students take Le Français Juridique.

Optional modules explore key issues in the modern French-speaking world: in Introduction to French Studies 1, students study the question of French identity from a variety of literary, artistic and social perspectives. France and the World explores the artistic and cultural diversity of French-speaking countries around the globe.

Levels 2 and 3

Levels 2 and 3 provide the opportunity to enhance the linguistic skills and cultural awareness developed in Level 1.

Core modules at both levels focus on advanced language study and also give students a choice of filières, which are taught and assessed in French.

The range of options on offer includes intensive language study for ex-beginners (in Level 2), language for professional purposes (Legal French, Business French), or a variety of historical, cultural, linguistic and literary topics.

Depending on their pathway, students also choose from a range of optional modules, which are designed and taught by internationally-recognised staff and relate to their research interests.

Current optional modules may include:

  • Caribbean Cultures
  • Romance and Realism in media cultures
  • French Film Noir
  • Paris: City of Modernity
  • The Sociolinguistics of Modern French

Assessment & Feedback

Assessment: The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module. Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments. Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. There are also oral examinations which enable students to demonstrate their ability to analyse and present material in Irish and pursue high-level discussion in the target language. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general): As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

  • Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted.
  • Face to face comment. This may include occasions when students make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
  • Placement employer comments or references.
  • Online or emailed comment.
  • General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
  • Pre-submission advice regarding the standards students should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time.
  • Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
  • Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once students have reviewed their feedback, they will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of theirwork.

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support, to enable you to achieve your full academic potential.

On the BA in French and Politics we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course:

  • Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics and outline theoretical and methodological concepts as a starting point for further study. Lectures may also provide opportunities to ask questions, and receive advice on assessments.
  • Seminars/tutorials: Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (rarely more than 15 students). The majority of seminars and tutorials are taught by permanent members of the academic staff. Such small-group teaching provides opportunities for you to engage with active researchers who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess your own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
  • Language classes: Almost all of the teaching in Modern Languages is carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students) in English and French. Written language classes meet for two hours each week, and involve intensive work on developing linguistic competence, vocabulary, idiom, knowledge of grammar, comprehension and translation skills, essay-writing skills etc. Students should expect to prepare work in advance of each of these classes, where they will receive regular written and oral feedback on their work.
  • Oral classes: Students have opportunities to develop oral skills and apply grammar and vocabulary in real-life, practical contexts, and through the study of topics related to contemporary France. All these classes are taught in very small groups (typically 6-12 students) and are facilitated by native speakers.
  • Year Abroad: This is a significant learning and employability enhancement opportunity during which students can study at university, work as an English-Language Teacher, or undertake a paid work placement in a French-speaking country. This feature of our degree programme gives students the opportunity for personal and professional development, further develops communication and language skills, and the experience of living abroad is important for developing intercultural awareness.
  • E-Learning technologies:Most information associated with lectures and assignments is communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: computer-based grammar learning packages in the Language Centre; interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes in project- based work, interactive group workshops, online discussions, and web-based learning activities.
  • Self-directed study: This is an important part of life as a Queen’s student, when private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date, and research and preparation work for assignments is carried out. Academic staff will provide tailored bibliographies for research projects and self-directed reading.
  • Supervised projects and dissertations: In final year, students have the opportunity to undertake these. If they do so, they receive support from a supervisor who guides them in terms of how to carry out research and who will provide feedback on drafts of work. All supervision is undertaken by permanent members of staff, many of whom are world-class experts in their field.
  • Personal Tutor: Every undergraduate has a Personal Tutor who is a member of the academic staff. The Personal Tutor meets with his/her students throughout their academic career and provides advice on personal development, employment opportunities, and their general progress through university.

Additional information

Career Prospects Studying for a French and Politics degree at Queen’s will assist students in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Graduates from this degree have the proven ability to analyse subjects in depth and develop coherent arguments in written and verbal form, as well as linguistic fluency and experience of living and working abroad, all of which are highly sought after skills in a global job market. In addition, the subject-matter...

French and Politics

£ 9,250 + VAT