116-024 Women & Representation in French Society

Formerly available as 116-230/330. Students who have completed 116-230 or 116-330 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

116-133 French I: Contemporary French B and 116-134 French I: Language in Context II or equivalent. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first year European studies, see Prerequisites. Women's studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed first year women's studies, see Prerequisites.

This subject involves a critical analysis of the role of women in their relation to the production of creative and theoretical texts in French society. Examples include women as writers, social critics, film directors and women as subjects and objects of representation. On completion of the subject, students should be able to analyse a range of texts dealing with women, representation and gender relations in French society and have developed a historical and critical understanding of the topic. This subject is taught in French and makes use of a range of internet materials.

• develop skills in research through frequent and systematic use of the library and other information sources, the definition of areas of inquiry and familiarisation with research methods;

• be capable of thinking in theoretical and analytical terms through lectures, tutorial discussion, essay writing and engagement in the methodologies of the humanities and social sciences;

• develop understanding of social, political, historical and cultural contexts and international awareness/openness to the world through the contextualisation of judgements and knowledge, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and new aspects of French culture, and by formulating arguments;

• be capable of communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay and assignment writing, tutorial discussion and class presentations;

• develop attention to detail through close reading and textual analysis, essay preparation and writing, and examination revision.

A class paper of 1200 words in French subsequently written up 35% (due a week after the presentation), an essay of 1500 words 40% (due a week after the end of semester) and two mini-tests totalling 25% (due in week 6 and week 10 respectively).

A selection of texts compiled by the Department including works by: George Sand, Colette, Simone de Beauvoir, Hélène Cixous, Violette Leduc, Marguerite Duras and contemporary writers and critics.