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Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
100
French
COURSE CODE:
PLACES 2011:
POINTS 2010:
DEGREE AWARDED:
TR001 (TSM)
84
425-570
B.A.
TSM points:
See note on page 28
Special Entry Requirements:
Leaving Certificate
HC1
French
Advanced GCE (A-Level)
Grade C French
French (TSM) cannot be studied as a single honor course.
It must be combined with one other subject within the two-
subject moderatorship (TSM) programme. TSM is a joint
honor programme. Both subjects are normally studied for
three years and one subject only is studied in the fourth
year. An honors degree is awarded in both subjects.
For subjects that combine with French see page 92.
Alternatively, French may be selected as one of the two
languages studied in the European studies programme
or studied as the chosen language of either the
Computer science and language, the Business studies
and a language, or the Law and a language degree
programmes.
See also:
TR011: Computer science and language, page 122
TR018: Law and French, page 71
TR024: European studies – French with German/Italian/
Polish/Russian or Spanish, page 58
TR085: Business studies and French, page 42
Is this the right course for you?
French literature, culture and civilisation have a long and
distinguished history. If you are interested in the possibility
of exploring this dynamic society and in finding out more
about other cultures where French is spoken, in Europe and
throughout the world, French at Trinity College will appeal
to you.
Course overview
French, read in combination with another subject, is designed to
provide you with a thorough grounding in all aspects of French.
The result is that you leave university with a high standard of
fluency in the language, both written and spoken, and with a
wide knowledge of major aspects of French literature, culture
and society. The development of reading, analytical, and critical
skills, in the form of both oral tasks and written exercises, also
forms an integral part of this course.
Course content
Language instruction – including computer-based elements –
forms the backbone of the teaching programme and students
are expected to progress to a high level of competence in the
four basic linguistic skills of listening, speaking, reading and
writing. This includes nurturing an ability to cope with different
registers and styles of written and spoken French and to reflect
critically on the way the language is used and structured.
Examples of optional subjects available over the course of
the four years include French linguistics, literature, ideas and
politics.
The Freshman years
The programme in the Junior Freshman (first) year includes
an introduction to many aspects of contemporary France, the
French language and literature. First year subject areas include:
n
French grammar and grammatical analysis
n
Comprehension of the written and spoken language
n
Contemporary short stories, novels, theatre, films and
a specially prepared anthology of French poetry
You will spend approximately five hours each week working
on language and grammar and approximately two hours each
week studying literature.
In the Senior Freshman (second) year, you will build on this
foundation by following courses in the history of French ideas
and ideologies, French literature, French linguistics and in the
practice of the French language itself.
The Sophister years
In the Junior and Senior Sophister (third and fourth) years,
a wide variety of optional subjects leading on from courses
previously undertaken in the Freshman (first and second) years
are available. These range from classical and contemporary
French literature to politics, society and identity in France and
other Francophone countries, to French travel writing. If you
elect to study French in your final year you will research and
write a dissertation in English or French on a subject of your
choice in consultation with a supervisor.
Assessment
Written, oral and aural examinations, in addition to essays and
continuous assessment of your coursework, all contribute to
assessment. Senior Sophisters (fourth-year students) will also
research and write a final-year dissertation.
Study abroad
A minimum stay of two months in a French-speaking country is
required over the duration of your course. Many students opt to
spend their second or third year at a university in France within
the framework of an Erasmus exchange programme. There are
exchange agreements between Trinity College and universities
in Orléans and Paris.