922-262 Special Study Program: New Caledonia

Successful completion of at least 37.5 points at first year level depending on level targeted for that year.

The subject is designed to introduce students to New Caledonian society and cultures, from an historical and a contemporary perspective, to provide students with the opportunity to practise intensively French language skills, and to sit the French DELF examination. On completion of the subject, students should have developed an appreciation of indigenous Melanesian culture and society, and of the French presence in New Caledonia, both from an historical and a contemporary perspective. They should also have developed an appreciation of contemporary cultural, social and political issues in New Caledonia, focusing on relations between the indigenous Melanesian population, Caledonians of French settler background, and other ethnic groups, on the one hand, and relations between the French government and New Caledonia on the other.

• 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 critical thinking and analysis through required and recommended reading, essay writing and tutorial discussion, and by assessing the strength of arguments;

• 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 skills in written communication through essay and assignment preparation and writing;

• develop skills in public speaking and confidence in self-expression through tutorial participation and class presentations;

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

• develop skills in time management and planning through managing and organizing workloads for required and recommended reading, essay and assignment completion and revision for examinations.

An interview and a 500 word written report 20% (due at the end of February), participation and contribution in class 10%, an oral and written DELF exam 30% (during the trip) and a 1500 word essay in French 40% (due at the end of February).

A booklet of course materials prepared by the Department.