La France et son cinéma - Université Catholique de Lille

SYLLABUS
European Summer Program
Université Catholique de Lille
Course title: La France et son cinéma
Credits: 6 ECTS credits
Teaching language: French
Teacher in charge of the course: François Massonnat, MPhil, University of
Villanova
Specialist lecturers: Grant Douglas, MPhil, Université Catholique de Lille (Intercultural
Studies)
Academic calendar: 30 May to 25 June 2016
1) COURSE PRESENTATION
Course objective:
By the end of the course, you will be conversant with the works of some of the most
prominent French directors and with the conditions of production and reception that
characterize the era during which those films were made. Additionally, you will show an
awareness of the most important concepts that inform the field of cinema studies.
Prerequisite: To take this course, students should have an advanced level in French
(minimum of B2 level).
An initial 1h30 placement test evaluates students' linguistic skills including grammar,
vocabulary, reading, writing and listening. A 10-minute interview with a member of the ICLClarife (center of languages of Université Catholique de Lille) assesses speaking ability.
Following the placement test, the numbers of level groups are determined depending on total
number of students, and are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages (more information on www.coe.int).
If the placement test assesses that the student does not have the required level in French,
they will be oriented towards another ESP course.
Content:
The purpose of this course is to provide an introduction to the history and scope of French
cinema all the way to the present time through the analysis of key works of the French film
canon. Particular attention will be paid to successive period styles as well as various genres. A
variety of critical lenses will be used (psychoanalysis, socio-historical and cultural context,
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politics, aesthetics, gender…) in an effort to better understand the specificities and
complexities of these films.
Introduction of the course “La France et son cinéma”
 Historical introduction to silent cinema
 Presentation of clips
 Vocabulary
Truffaut – La Nuit américaine (1973)
 Mini-quizz
 Presentation of François Truffaut and his work
 Discussion about La Nuit américaine
 Vocabulary
 Analysis of clips
Renoir – La Grande illusion (1937)
 Mini-quizz
 Presentation of the cinema prewar, on Jean Renoir and his work
 Discussion about La Grande illusion
 Analysis of clips
Clouzot – Le corbeau (1943)
 Mini-quizz
 Presentation of the cinema under occupation, and of Henri-Georges Clouzot and his
work
 Discussion about Corbeau
 Analysis of clips
Godard – A bout de souffle (1960)
 Mini-quizz
 Presentation of the New Wave and Jean-Luc Godard and his work
 Discussion about A bout de souffle
 Analysis of clips
Demy - Les parapluies de Cherbourg (1964)
 Mini-quizz
 Presentation of Jacques Demy and his work
 Discussion about Parapluies de Cherbourg
 Analysis of clips
Kassovitz – La Haine (1995)
 Mini-quizz
 Presentation of Mathieu Kassovitz and his work, and of the suburban cinema
 Discussion about Parapluies de Cherbourg
 Analysis of clips
Varda – Les Glaneurs et la glaneuse (2000)
 Mini-quizz
 Presentation of Agnès Varda and her work
 Discussion about Glaneurs et la glaneuse
 Examen (knowledge test, analysis of clips)
Includes 9 hours of Intercultural Communication (link to course module description).
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2) WORKLOAD
It shows the student workload both in class and homework:
Form
Number of
hours
Class teaching
Cultural conferences
36 hours
4 hours
TOTAL
40 hours
Off-site training, fieldtrips
Homework
includes 1-3h
instruction
includes 1-3h
instruction
includes 2.5-4h
instruction
15 hours
Student total workload
59 to 65 hours
Comments
Includes 9 hours of Intercultural
Communication
Visit to Bruges
Visit to Brussels
Visit to memorial sites of WW1
*Note: 1 contact hour = 60 minutes, whereas some academic systems use 45- or 50-minute contact hours.
3) EDUCATIONAL METHODS
Case study, lectures, fieldtrips, group work, share of experiences
4) ASSESSMENT
Form
Continuous
assessment
(percentage break
down 20%)
Final exam
(percentage break
down 60%)
Number
Duration
1
1h30
Comments
Questions and essays
Others (student
participation…)
(percentage break
down 20%)
This syllabus is based on information that was available at the time of publication (October
2015). Changes may occur.
For updated information about course content, please contact us: [email protected]
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