30 September 2024

Updated content:

Course overview

Old:

Explore two rich and diverse cultural traditions while developing your fluency in the French language and your expertise in English literature, exploring the connections between the two.

First-year core modules will introduce you to French language, literature and culture, English literature, and comparative literatures.

In your intermediate and final years, all English and French optional modules are open to you. Topics range from literature and critical theory to history, politics, linguistics, philosophy and film. In your final year, you can choose to write a dissertation, including the option to write on a comparative topic addressing both French and English literature. You will normally spend your second or third year of study consolidating and enhancing your language skills abroad.

You will graduate as a highly qualified linguist with advanced intercultural skills, a deep understanding of key issues and developments in France’s past and present, and an advanced knowledge of French, English, and comparative literatures.

New:

Explore two rich and diverse cultural traditions while developing your fluency in the French language and your expertise in English literature, exploring the connections between the two.

First-year core modules will introduce you to French language, literature and culture, English literature, and comparative literatures. In your intermediate and final years, all English and French optional modules are open to you. Topics range from literature and critical theory to history, politics, linguistics, philosophy and film. In your final year, you can choose to write a dissertation, including the option to write on a comparative topic addressing both French and English literature.

Your second or third year is normally spent abroad, either as a language assistant, or working or studying at one of our partner universities. This is an invaluable opportunity to immerse yourself in the linguistic and cultural contexts where French is spoken, enhance your language skills and build international connections.

You will have access to outstanding facilities and resources. This includes flexible collaborative and individual learning spaces, as well as a vast selection of print, digital and multimedia learning materials.

You will graduate as a highly qualified linguist with advanced intercultural skills, a deep understanding of key issues and developments in the past and present of Francophone cultures, and an advanced knowledge of French, English, and comparative literatures.

Core modules

Old:

In your first year, you will follow a core French language programme at beginner or advanced level that will develop your knowledge and understanding of both written and spoken French. You will also take the core module, ‘The Story of Modern France’, where you will examine primary sources from major periods and events in French history, literature, and contemporary politics, while learning about key critical approaches.

On the English side of your degree, you will take ‘Modes of Reading’, a module that focuses on questions of approach, critical practice, and reading strategies. You will additionally choose one English module in your first year, from a list of three: ‘Epic into Novel’; ‘Medieval and Early Modern Literature’; or ‘Modern World Literatures’.

In your intermediate and final years, you will further develop your French language skills in more advanced language classes, and you will be able to develop your own particular interests in Francophone culture by choosing from a wide selection of modules taught by specialists in French culture, society, literature, politics, philosophy, film, and history. If you wish, you can also select from interdisciplinary cross-School modules. Similarly, in English, you will take core modules in each year and will be able to pursue your own interests alongside this through a range of optional modules taught by experts in the field.

New:

In your first year, you will follow a core French language programme at beginner or advanced level that will develop your knowledge and understanding of both written and spoken French. You will also take the core module, ‘The Story of Modern France’, where you will examine primary sources from major periods and events in French history, literature, and contemporary politics, while learning about key critical approaches.

On the English side of your degree, you will take ‘Modes of Reading’, a module that focuses on questions of approach, critical practice, and reading strategies. You will additionally choose one English module in your first year, from a list of three: ‘Epic into Novel’; ‘Medieval and Early Modern Literature’; or ‘Modern World Literatures’.

In your intermediate and final years, you will further develop your French language skills in more advanced language classes, and you will be able to develop your own particular interests in Francophone culture by choosing from a wide selection of modules taught by specialists in French culture, society, literature, politics, philosophy, film, and history. If you wish, you can also select from interdisciplinary cross-School modules including Translation Studies modules. Similarly, in English, you will take core modules in each year and will be able to pursue your own interests alongside this through a range of optional modules taught by experts in the field.