French and Sociology

Course outline

Taught within our School of Languages and Social Sciences, this course combines the study of French and Sociology.

In French we emphasise the practical application of language in real-life and professional situations. There are a varied and exciting range of module choices in areas such as film and cinema, translation, interpreting, the media and press, contemporary history and culture and linguistics. All of our modules – not just language classes – are taught in French enabling you to rapidly improve your language skills. Although this may seem daunting at first, our approach to language teaching is a key factor in our outstanding graduate employment record: our students graduate with near-native language skills, making them highly attractive to employers.

Strengths of our Sociology programme include its focus on key contemporary social issues, social policy and decision making and international comparisons of social structures and policies. You will also benefit from teaching staff who are active researchers in fields such as ethnic and gender inequalities, work organisation, educational policy, global change, new technology and employment, risk and the environment, and theories of social change.

There is a fully integrated year abroad with extensive preparation and support offered by our dedicated international placements team.

Learning, teaching & assessment

You will take part in interactive seminars, presentations and small group work as well as attending lectures and tutorials. There are also opportunities for individual research and guided study.

In the French department all of our modules are taught in the foreign language, which means that our students are at a real advantage when it comes to gaining maximum benefit and experience from the year abroad. In Sociology, studies generally revolve around lecture classes in the first two years, and there are opportunities for group and collaborative work.

You will be allocated a personal tutor who can provide help and advice.

Assessment is through a combination of written and oral exams, coursework, essays, presentations and an extended dissertation during your final year.

Year abroad

All students studying Sociology and a Modern Foreign Language undertake a compulsory year abroad. The Aston year abroad offers a great deal of flexibility – with the option of studying, working, undertaking a teaching assistantship or combining several of this options!

At Aston we have a high percentage of students doing an industrial work placement in their year abroad. Recent work placements include Air France, SanofiAventis, TNS, CNG (Translation company), Sofres, Total France, Spincontrol and World Vision in Senegal. If you would like to study at an exchange university abroad we currently have links with prestigious institutions in Paris, Brussels, Ghent, Orleans and the IEP in Lille. Recent students have also undertaken Teaching Assistantships in France, Quebec and French speaking Africa.

Whichever option you choose experienced staff in the International Placements Office will assist you in finding placements and in every aspect of preparation for the year abroad.

Career prospects

Aston’s Modern Language courses are ranked 3rd in the UK (out of over 90 universities) for job prospects (Guardian University Guide 2009) and joint 1st for % of graduates employed 82% of our Sociology Graduates went into employment in 2005-6, against a UK average of around 70% for the subject.

Our graduates enter careers in UK and international business/marketing, the languages and communications professions, education, European institutions and research.

Recent Aston Graduate First Destinations included:

• Graduate Trainee Managers for British Airways, Aldi Stores, John Lewis Partnership and Selfridges

• Focus Housing Group - Housing Manager

• English Heritage - Finance Officer

• Police Constable

• Journalist for Tatler Magazine

• Smoby (French Toy Company) - Account Manager

• Michelin - Senior Administrator

• Public Relations Officers for a number of companies

• European Union/European Parliament Officers/Assistants

• PGCE - Primary/Secondary/College Teaching for teaching careers

• Marketing Assistant at Beiersdorf (makers of NIVEA amongst other products)

• English/French Translators at companies such as Volkswagen and freelance work

• Bilingual Marketing Assistant at 3Com (an international internet and telecomms company)

• Trainee Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers

• Further study and PhD Research in the areas of International Politics, European Cultural Studies, Linguistics, Translation/Interpreting, Sociology and Social Sciences.

Personal development

As well as gaining near-native fluency in French, this course helps you to develop team working skills, presentation and communication skills. Your IT skills will also benefit from use of our newly refurbished e-learning language centre.

The year abroad will develop your initiative, confidence and independence, as well as improving your language skills. In your final year you complete an individual research dissertation which improves your independent research skills and report writing skills.

All students are encouraged to undertake Personal Development Planning (PDP).