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30 September 2024
Updated content
Old:
This joint degree allows you to develop an in-depth knowledge of French language and culture while exploring the world of Theatre and Performance Studies. You will benefit from the full range of expertise on offer in both departments, including language, cultural and translation modules in Modern Languages, and Theatre and Performance modules in historiography, national theatre cultures, and the impact of performance in public discourse.
You will graduate as a highly qualified linguist, with advanced intercultural skills and a sophisticated understanding of key concepts and debates in two Arts disciplines. The specialist communication, research, critical, creative and evaluative skills you will gain are all highly sought after by employers.
New:
This joint degree allows you to develop an in-depth knowledge of French language and francophone culture while exploring the world of Theatre and Performance Studies. You will benefit from the full range of expertise on offer in both departments, including language, cultural and translation modules in Modern Languages, and Theatre and Performance modules in historiography, national theatre cultures, and the impact of performance in public discourse. French can be taken from Beginner or Advanced level.
You will graduate as a highly qualified linguist, with advanced intercultural skills and a sophisticated understanding of key concepts and debates in two Arts disciplines. The specialist communication, research, critical, creative and evaluative skills you will gain are all highly sought after by employers.
Course overview
Old:
French and Theatre Studies allows you to develop an in-depth knowledge of French language and culture while also exploring Theatre and Performance Studies through practice and theory.
You will benefit from the full range of expertise on offer in both departments: this includes the teaching of core French language modules alongside, cultural and translation modules in Modern Languages, and Theatre and Performance modules in historiography, theatre in European and African contexts, applied theatre and playwriting.
French at Warwick enables you to collaborate with academic specialists to develop your language skills and intercultural competence. Together, we will examine the historical, cultural, geographical, and political contexts in which French is spoken across the world. The flexible course covers cultural topics such as philosophy, literature, politics, history, linguistics, media and film. Core language modules develop an in-depth understanding of the French language and its links to the cultural contexts where it is spoken, and you can then choose optional modules to develop your academic interests.
Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick takes pride in its national and international reputation for research and teaching excellence. As a student, you will be taught by world-leading scholars, industry professionals and artists who are as passionate about the power of theatre and performance as you are. You will explore how drama, theatre and performance are used to share stories, to laugh, to feel, to understand more deeply, and to change things.
Beyond the course, you will be encouraged to see work and get involved at Warwick Arts CentreLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, one of the largest multi-artform venues in the UK, and join one of the many award-winning performance-based student societies.
You will normally spend your second or third year abroad, consolidating and enhancing your learning.
New:
French and Theatre Studies is a joint degree, equally weighted between both disciplines and studied in both departments. You will graduate from this course with specialist knowledge and skills in the theatre, and as a highly qualified linguist with advanced intercultural skills. You will have a deep understanding of French-speaking cultures, and a multifaceted knowledge of the study of theatre.
A French and Theatre Studies degree will allow you to combine two specialisms. Firstly, you will be able to develop and refine your skills as a linguist through a programme of modules exploring the French language and the culture, history and politics of France and the Francophone world. Alongside this, you will pursue your interests in theatre, with core and optional modules on topics including historiography, theatre in European and African contexts, applied theatre, and playwriting. You benefit from the full range of expertise on offer in both departments and will be able to explore the synergies between the two subject areas.
French at Warwick enables you to collaborate with academic specialists to develop your language skills and intercultural competence. Together, we will examine the historical, cultural, geographical, and political contexts in which French is spoken across the world. The flexible course covers cultural topics such as philosophy, literature, politics, history, linguistics, media and film. Core language modules develop an in-depth understanding of the French language and its links to the cultural contexts where it is spoken, and you can then choose optional modules to develop your academic interests.
Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick takes pride in its national and international reputation for research and teaching excellence. As a student, you will be taught by world-leading scholars, industry professionals and artists who are as passionate about the power of theatre and performance as you are. You will explore how drama, theatre and performance are used to share stories, to laugh, to feel, to understand more deeply, and to change things. Beyond the course, you will be encouraged to see work and get involved at Warwick Arts Centre, one of the largest multi-artform venues in the UK, and join one of the many award-winning performance-based student societies.
Your second or third year is normally spent abroad, either as a language assistant, 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 finish your degree as a proficient, internationally mobile linguist with a deep understanding of Francophone cultures, and an advanced knowledge of theatre and performance.
Core modules
Old:
In your first year, you will take language classes to develop your knowledge and understanding of written and spoken French. You will also take the core module, ‘The Story of Modern France’. This module examines primary sources from major periods and events in French history, literature, and contemporary politics. You will also study two core Theatre Studies modules, which will introduce you to key concepts and practices in theatre and performance studies.
Having acquired fundamental skills in your first year, you will go on to develop your linguistic and cultural expertise the intermediate and final years. As well as taking core modules, you will be able to pursue your own interests beyond the language. In SMLC, our modules reflect the research specialisms of academics in the French department and cover a broad range of subjects in French and Francophone culture, society, literature, politics, philosophy, film and history.
In Theatre Studies, you will take core modules that explore both the theoretical and the practical aspects of Theatre and Performance Studies, enabling you to develop a nuanced understanding of different approaches. After the first year, you will be able to choose modules that reflect your own interests in Theatre and Performance, developing your own specialist knowledge and expertise. Areas of research expertise in the department include applied and community theatre, theatre history, theatre in specific national contexts, representations of gender and sexuality, theatre and mental health, and practices of writing, acting and directing.
You will also be able to pursue your own particular interests beyond the language. Our modules reflect the research specialisms of academics in the French department, covering a broad range of subjects in French culture, society, literature, politics, philosophy, film, and history.
You can also opt to study some of our interdisciplinary cross-School modules.
Year One
Modern French Language 1
You will deepen your understanding of French grammar and syntax with the help of tutors experienced in facilitating the transition from A Level to university-level competence. You will learn appropriate technical vocabulary and handle complex structures. You will develop the skills required to produce authentic and accurate translations of written texts in both English and French. Writing in formal French introduces you to the structures and methods used to debate ideas on contemporary issues. You will increase your reading and comprehension skills and develop your ability to exploit texts for vocabulary, idioms, syntax and grammatical structures. Working with a native speaker in a small group, you will discuss aspects of contemporary French and Francophone culture and society, using audio, video and written resources.
Read more about Modern French Language 1Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
or
Modern French Language for Beginners
As a beginner learner of the French language, you will cover the main linguistic skills in speaking, listening, writing and reading. You will focus on gaining grammatical accuracy as well as communicative fluency and competence. By the end of the year, you will be expected to be able to sustain everyday conversations in French, read authentic texts such as newspaper articles, follow the gist of TV/video extracts and be able to write different types of texts in French. You will also work on basic translations to and from French, as a means of consolidating your knowledge.
Read more about Modern French Language for BeginnersLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
A French cultural module:
The Story of Modern France
Why is modern France so deeply invested in the past? What are the milestones in the creation of modern France? How have notions of France and Frenchness been shaped through the stories told about them? These are some of the questions you will explore through close reading of primary sources from major periods and events in French history. You will explore a range of written, visual, and audio-visual materials, from the student posters of May 1968 to prints dating back to the French Revolution, and from stories of Charlemagne to films and texts reflecting France’s ongoing preoccupation with its (often controversial) recent past. Engaging with this varied range of cultural sources will equip you to study further aspects of French and Francophone culture in the later stages of your degree.
Read more about The Story of Modern FranceLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Two Theatre Studies modules:
Theatre and Performance in Context
In this module students will explore the inter-related disciplines of theatre and performance, considering some of the key conceptual and artistic frameworks that have shaped the fields. Throughout the module students will engage with the sociopolitical and historical contexts that have informed these frameworks and the ways in which theatre and performance not only reflects, but also seeks to change and shape, society. The module therefore aims to:
- Equip students with a broad understanding of the key issues and theoretical concepts underpinning the study of theatre and performance
- Investigate how theatre and performance can inform understandings of wider society, including politics, cultures, identities
- Explore the sociopolitical and cultural contexts in which particular theatre and performance events and practices emerged
- Examine how politics and culture intersect with the study of theatre and performance
Read more about the Theatre and Performance in Context moduleLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
From Text to Performance
Through practical exploration of a number of selected plays and texts, in this module you’ll investigate the process of taking material from page to stage or performance, and the relationship between theory and practice. You’ll have the opportunity to experiment practically with realising multiple texts in performance, considering aspects such as staging, genre, narrative structure, performance strategies, dramaturgical thinking and directorial conceptualization, as well as the changing role and function of the audience.
Read more about the From Text to Performance moduleLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Intermediate Year
Modern French Language 2
You will consolidate and develop the language skills acquired in your first year. By the end of the module, you should have the knowledge of vocabulary and syntactic and grammatical structures to produce written French in two prescribed genres. You will develop your skills in translation to and from French, with a focus on specific translation challenges. In spoken French, you will improve your ability to understand and use structured spoken French on a range of topics related to contemporary cultures and in simulated real-life contexts.
Read more about Modern French Language 2Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
or
Modern French Language 2 (Post-beginners)
You will increase the range of your general and specialised vocabulary in French, improve your speaking, listening and comprehension skills, and develop your ability to translate from French, including through a sound knowledge of grammar, register, semantic nuances and style. There will be opportunities to write in French and to work on materials applicable to real-life situations.
Read more about Modern French Language 2 (Post-beginners)Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
A selection of optional modules in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (30 credits) and in Theatre and Performance Studies (60 credits)
Final Year
Modern French Language 3
You will consolidate and develop your ability to write and speak confidently and at a level of intellectual sophistication in French. By the end of the course, you should be able to produce a structured written argument on a given topic, in French that is grammatically correct, idiomatic, varied in vocabulary and grammatical structure, and in an appropriate register. You should be able to translate accurately from French to English and English to French, using your detailed knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and idiom, and employing an appropriate register. You will strengthen your skills in pronunciation and intonation skills and demonstrate these through fluent oral presentation and discussion of an intellectually demanding topic.
Read more about Modern French Language 3Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
A selection of optional modules in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures (30 credits) and in Theatre and Performance Studies (60 credits)
New:
In your first year, you will take language classes to develop your knowledge and understanding of written and spoken French. You will also take the core module, ‘The Story of Modern France’. This module examines primary sources from major periods and events in French history, literature, and contemporary politics. You will also study two core Theatre Studies modules, which will introduce you to key concepts and practices in theatre and performance studies.
Having acquired fundamental skills in your first year, you will go on to develop your linguistic and cultural expertise the intermediate and final years. As well as taking core modules, you will be able to pursue your own interests beyond the language. In SMLC, our modules reflect the research specialisms of academics in the French department and cover a broad range of subjects in French and Francophone culture, society, literature, politics, philosophy, film and history.
In Theatre Studies, you will take core modules that explore both the theoretical and the practical aspects of Theatre and Performance Studies, enabling you to develop a nuanced understanding of different approaches. After the first year, you will be able to choose modules that reflect your own interests in Theatre and Performance, developing your own specialist knowledge and expertise. Areas of research expertise in the department include applied and community theatre, theatre history, theatre in specific national contexts, representations of gender and sexuality, theatre and mental health, and practices of writing, acting and directing.
You will also be able to pursue your own particular interests beyond the language. Our modules reflect the research specialisms of academics in the French department, covering a broad range of subjects in French culture, society, literature, politics, philosophy, film, and history.
You can also opt to study some of our interdisciplinary cross-School modules, including modules in Translation Studies.
You can choose to spend your year abroad studying at a university in a French-speaking country, or on a British Council Assistantship or a work placement.
Year One
Modern French Language 1
You will deepen your understanding of French grammar and syntax with the help of tutors experienced in facilitating the transition from A Level to university-level competence. You will learn appropriate technical vocabulary and handle complex structures. You will develop the skills required to produce authentic and accurate translations of written texts in both English and French. Writing in formal French introduces you to the structures and methods used to debate ideas on contemporary issues. You will increase your reading and comprehension skills and develop your ability to exploit texts for vocabulary, idioms, syntax and grammatical structures. Working with a native speaker in a small group, you will discuss aspects of contemporary French and Francophone culture and society, using audio, video and written resources.
Read more about Modern French Language 1Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
or
Modern French Language for Beginners
As a beginner learner of the French language, you will cover the main linguistic skills in speaking, listening, writing and reading. You will focus on gaining grammatical accuracy as well as communicative fluency and competence. By the end of the year, you will be expected to be able to sustain everyday conversations in French, read authentic texts such as newspaper articles, follow the gist of TV/video extracts and be able to write different types of texts in French. You will also work on basic translations to and from French, as a means of consolidating your knowledge.
Read more about Modern French Language for BeginnersLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
A French cultural module:
The Story of Modern France
Why is modern France so deeply invested in the past? What are the milestones in the creation of modern France? How have notions of France and Frenchness been shaped through the stories told about them? These are some of the questions you will explore through close reading of primary sources from major periods and events in French history. You will explore a range of written, visual, and audio-visual materials, from the student posters of May 1968 to prints dating back to the French Revolution, and from stories of Charlemagne to films and texts reflecting France’s ongoing preoccupation with its (often controversial) recent past. Engaging with this varied range of cultural sources will equip you to study further aspects of French and Francophone culture in the later stages of your degree.
Read more about The Story of Modern FranceLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Two Theatre Studies modules:
Theatre and Performance in Context
In this module students will explore the inter-related disciplines of theatre and performance, considering some of the key conceptual and artistic frameworks that have shaped the fields. Throughout the module students will engage with the sociopolitical and historical contexts that have informed these frameworks and the ways in which theatre and performance not only reflects, but also seeks to change and shape, society. The module therefore aims to:
- Equip students with a broad understanding of the key issues and theoretical concepts underpinning the study of theatre and performance
- Investigate how theatre and performance can inform understandings of wider society, including politics, cultures, identities
- Explore the sociopolitical and cultural contexts in which particular theatre and performance events and practices emerged
- Examine how politics and culture intersect with the study of theatre and performance
Read more about the Theatre and Performance in Context moduleLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
From Text to Performance
Through practical exploration of a number of selected plays and texts, in this module you’ll investigate the process of taking material from page to stage or performance, and the relationship between theory and practice. You’ll have the opportunity to experiment practically with realising multiple texts in performance, considering aspects such as staging, genre, narrative structure, performance strategies, dramaturgical thinking and directorial conceptualization, as well as the changing role and function of the audience.
Read more about the From Text to Performance moduleLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Intermediate Year
Modern French Language 2
You will consolidate and develop the language skills acquired in your first year. By the end of the module, you should have the knowledge of vocabulary and syntactic and grammatical structures to produce written French in two prescribed genres. You will develop your skills in translation to and from French, with a focus on specific translation challenges. In spoken French, you will improve your ability to understand and use structured spoken French on a range of topics related to contemporary cultures and in simulated real-life contexts.
Read more about Modern French Language 2Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
or
Modern French Language 2 (Post-beginners)
You will increase the range of your general and specialised vocabulary in French, improve your speaking, listening and comprehension skills, and develop your ability to translate from French, including through a sound knowledge of grammar, register, semantic nuances and style. There will be opportunities to write in French and to work on materials applicable to real-life situations.
Read more about Modern French Language 2 (Post-beginners)Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
A selection of optional modules in French Studies and the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, including translation and cross-School thematic modules (30 credits)
Optional modules in Theatre and Performance Studies (60 credits)
Final Year
Modern French Language 3
You will consolidate and develop your ability to write and speak confidently and at a level of intellectual sophistication in French. By the end of the course, you should be able to produce a structured written argument on a given topic, in French that is grammatically correct, idiomatic, varied in vocabulary and grammatical structure, and in an appropriate register. You should be able to translate accurately from French to English and English to French, using your detailed knowledge of grammar, vocabulary and idiom, and employing an appropriate register. You will strengthen your skills in pronunciation and intonation skills and demonstrate these through fluent oral presentation and discussion of an intellectually demanding topic.
Read more about Modern French Language 3Link opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
A selection of optional modules in French Studies and the School of Modern Languages and Cultures, including translation and cross-School thematic modules (30 credits)
Optional modules in Theatre and Performance Studies (60 credits)