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LA3093: FRENCH CINEMA A (2024-2025)

Last modified: 23 Jul 2024 11:07


Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to French cinema from the 1930s to the present day, exploring the social, cultural and aesthetic significance of a number of representative films by directors such as Jean Renoir, Jean-Luc Godard, Louis Malle and Céline Sciamma. We will study important movements and genres within French cinema, and we will look at how French cinema responded to some of the major historical events and social debates of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Bruno Tribout

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Yes

One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.


Course Description

This course provides an introduction to French cinema from the 1930s to the present day, exploring the social, cultural and aesthetic significance of a number of representative films by directors such as Jean Renoir, Jean-Luc Godard, Louis Malle and Céline Sciamma. We will study important movements and genres within French cinema, including Poetic Realism, the New Wave and banlieue film, as well as some of their theoretical underpinnings, such as auteur theory. We will look at how French cinema responded to the major historical events and social debates of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including its role in shaping the memory of WWII and conversations on feminism, inclusion, or social justice. French cinema will be studied in a global context, with consideration to the ways in which it has been influenced by, or has in turn impacted on, other cinematic traditions, in particular in Europe and the US. (Note: the course does not require prior knowledge of French history or culture, and all films are available with subtitles.)


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Sequence Analysis

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks 13 Feedback Weeks 16

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Feedback

1,000-word sequence analysis.

Written feedback in the form of tutors' comments is given. Additional informal feedback on performance is offered in tutorials. Tutors have office hours at which further feedback may be sought.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandStudents will consolidate their knowledge of French cinema by means of independent research and synthesizing material from a range of sources.
ProceduralApplyStudents will communicate ideas and arguments on French cinema, in written and in oral forms, in a clear manner and using the conventions of academic presentation.
ProceduralApplyStudents will use a range of critical skills to review and apply their knowledge and understanding of French Cinema in order to construct arguments.
ReflectionEvaluateStudents will critically evaluate arguments on French film presented by others as well as their own.

A Written or Video Essay

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 50
Assessment Weeks 18 Feedback Weeks 21

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Feedback

Students will complete either:

• a 2,000-word essay
or
• a 5-7 minute video essay and accompanying 1,000-word reflective essay

Written feedback in the form of tutors' comments is given. Additional informal feedback on performance is offered in tutorials. Tutors have office hours at which further feedback may be sought.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandStudents will consolidate their knowledge of French cinema by means of independent research and synthesizing material from a range of sources.
ProceduralApplyStudents will communicate ideas and arguments on French cinema, in written and in oral forms, in a clear manner and using the conventions of academic presentation.
ProceduralApplyStudents will use a range of critical skills to review and apply their knowledge and understanding of French Cinema in order to construct arguments.
ReflectionEvaluateStudents will critically evaluate arguments on French film presented by others as well as their own.

Take Home Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 25
Assessment Weeks 19 Feedback Weeks 24

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Feedback

Length: 1,000 words

Written feedback in the form of tutors' comments is given. Additional informal feedback on performance is offered in tutorials. Tutors have office hours at which further feedback may be sought.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandStudents will consolidate their knowledge of French cinema by means of independent research and synthesizing material from a range of sources.
ProceduralApplyStudents will communicate ideas and arguments on French cinema, in written and in oral forms, in a clear manner and using the conventions of academic presentation.
ProceduralApplyStudents will use a range of critical skills to review and apply their knowledge and understanding of French Cinema in order to construct arguments.
ReflectionEvaluateStudents will critically evaluate arguments on French film presented by others as well as their own.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Take Home Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks 49 Feedback Weeks 52

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Feedback

Length: 2,000 words

Written feedback in the form of tutors' comments is given. Tutors have office hours at which further feedback may be sought.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandStudents will consolidate their knowledge of French cinema by means of independent research and synthesizing material from a range of sources.
ProceduralApplyStudents will use a range of critical skills to review and apply their knowledge and understanding of French Cinema in order to construct arguments.
ProceduralApplyStudents will communicate ideas and arguments on French cinema, in written and in oral forms, in a clear manner and using the conventions of academic presentation.
ReflectionEvaluateStudents will critically evaluate arguments on French film presented by others as well as their own.

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