Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

The module will be taught and assessed in English, but a knowledge of French (A-Level standard or equivalent is recommended) will be required as we will be working with texts and original sources in French. Not all of these will be available in translation.

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

In consonance with the overall aims of the degrees offered in the SML:

-       To develop critical reading skills in French for stage 4 students.
-       To provide access to contemporary academic literature on literature, film and visual arts from France and other French-speaking countries.
-       To develop understanding of the relationship between cultural production and social justice.

This module is taught and assessed in English. It will focus on the principles of social justice - access to resources, equity, participation, diversity and human rights - in relation to a variety of issues and characteristics (e.g. climate change, gender, race, migration, conflict and violence) using a range of case studies that will enable students to develop analyses of film, literature and visual arts from France and other French-speaking countries.

Students will work with texts and original sources in French.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus may vary from year to year, but will explore key topics relating to social justice in relation to a variety of cultural outputs.

Key concepts we will cover include:

-       What do we mean by social justice?
-       Ethics, equity and distributive justice.
-       Representation, advocacy, activism and cultural production.
-       Forms of storytelling, agency and empowerment.
-       Resisting judgment - engaging with the other.

The module may address issues relating to climate change, colonial pasts and post/decoloniality, gender, generations, marginality, migration, race, reproductive rights, conflict and violence, for example:

-       the centre and the margins (e.g. urban space and the banlieue, urban/rural space, the metropole and l’outre-mer)
-       migration ((post)colonial (im)migration; nationality; hospitality/terre d’accueil; France, the EU and the world)
-       sexual/reproductive justice (sexual freedom and consent; natalism; access to birth control, IVG, FIV, etc;)
-       economic justice and inequality (labour rights; social security; inequality and economic exclusion)
-       climate change (environment; pollution; agriculture and food security; global inequalities)
-       conflict and violence (bande dessinée in the Middle East; sub-Saharan Africa and testimonial narratives).

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module students will gain:

-       Knowledge of key concepts relating to social justice.
-       Knowledge of a diverse range of cultural texts and their conditions of production.
-       Knowledge of relevant social and political contexts.
-       Understanding of different forms of cultural activism.

Intended Skill Outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will gain:

-       Conceptual, theoretical and methodological tools to analyse, write and talk about film, literature and visual arts.
-       Ability to analyse cultural texts in relation to questions of social justice.
-       Ability to explore and debate interdisciplinary frameworks relating to arts, culture, and society.
-       Experience in developing critical thinking and independent and group research.
-       Ability to formulate arguments coherently and present ideas in a written, oral and visual form.
-       Ability to participate in group discussions and be involved in teamwork.
-       Time-management skills.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will introduce and develop the key concepts and theories that underpin social justice and provide students with the essential context for engaging with the case studies. They will also help to develop the skills required for analysis of texts including film (fiction and/or documentary), bande dessinée, literature (fiction and non-fiction of various genres), visual arts. Lectures may include group work and other student-focused tasks.

Seminars will offer students the chance to engage with texts in detail, developing their critical analysis skills and knowledge of the concepts and theories underpinning social justice. Students will be expected to have completed preparatory tasks that will be set on Canvas in advance of the seminars; these will include prescribed reading and viewing, and may also include some writing tasks. Seminars will involve group work and class discussion.

Assessment workshops will further support students with skills development for the specific tasks they need to fulfil. Drop-in sessions will allow students the chance for one-to-one support with their assessments.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Written exercise 1
The blog will enable the students to develop skills in writing with a reader in mind. They will choose a specific text in consultation with the lecturer, and present this in relation to A) its purpose and context of production and its purpose and B) relevant principles of social justice.
The blog will be assessed on how well the students can synthesise the relevant information about the text, and demonstrate how it relates to wider questions or debates around social justice.

Essay
The essay will require students to frame an argument and support this with evidence from texts studied on the module. Students will critically engage with concepts of social justice, and will draw on a range of texts relating to at least two case studies. They will be expected to frame their argument and analysis in relation to a range of secondary sources. Essays will demonstrate knowledge of key concepts and theories as well as of specific case studies, and skills of argument and critical analysis.

General Notes

N/A