Aix-en-Provence, France - Course Descriptions - Introduction to Contemporary French Media

Course Information

Contact Hours and Credits

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Full Description

Students will follow major French and international news stories as reported in French newspapers and on radio and TV. As a new French government has taken office this summer, it will be an exciting time watch the French press reaction as the nation adjusts to its new president, and begins to rethink its relation to the European Union. Students will learn to read and think critically about the media, to make informed judgments about the political, economic, social and cultural life of French and the European Union, and to write about current events using the principles of formal French expository writing.

Examples of themes that will be discussed during the semester:

• The French political system
• France and secularism
• Problems associated with the banlieues
• France and the European Union
• France and international relations
• Particularities of the French "model"
• The French and history
• France and terrorism
• France and social conflicts
• The US as seen from a French perspective, especially in relation to the US presidential election

Work outside the Classroom

The first ten minutes of each course will be devoted to a brief summary of the preceding course. It is indispensable that students reread their notes regularly in order to participate in the classroom and ask pertinent questions

The perfect complement to classroom work is the mandatory daily reading of newspapers, periodicals and dossiers distributed throughout the semester.

The keeping of a daily log in French will take the form of a press review andbe part of the overall final grade.

In order to enable you to do research, you will have access to a list of works which will be distributed regularly in conjunction with the themes discussed.

The professor is at your disposal outside of class for any problems you may encounter relative to the course.

Coursework
Two written devoirs in class

One written devoir at home

One oral presentation

One grade for participation throughout Coefficient 1
the entire semester: preparation, readings
and contribution to the class as a whole

ATTENTION!

A devoir is graded out of 20

17/20 for knowledge and methodology (coherence, clarity of ideas...)
2/20 for the quality of your French
1/20 for the presentation


One unexcused absence will result in the lowering of the final grade
Three late arrivals in class = an absence

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