Content and teaching | Assessment | Availability

Module content and teaching

Principal aims

France’s colonial history means that there are now over 50 French-speaking countries in the world. This module aims to introduce students to the rapidly developing area of ‘postcolonial’ Francophone literature from outside of France. It will explore twentieth-century literary writing from various Francophone regions and countries, including Africa, the Caribbean, Québec and the Maghreb.

Principal learning outcomes

The module will place Francophone literature in its historical, social and political context, looking at the influences that France’s culture and language have had on its colonies, and at the way in which these now ex-colonies and départements d’outre-mer have both adopted and adapted the literary and linguistic tools which were originally imposed upon them. We will also explore the continued links between these ex-colonies and ‘la Métropole’, as well as the differences and similarities which may exist between the literatures of each of the Francophone countries studied.

Timetabled teaching activities

Weekly lecture and seminar

Departmental link

Module assessment

Assessment group Assessment name Percentage
30 CATS (Module code: FR224-30)
A (Assessed work only) 1st 4000-4500 word essay 50%
  2nd 4000-4500 word essay 50%
C (Assessed/examined work) 4000-4500 word essay 50%
  2 hour examination (Summer) 50%
VA (Visiting students only) 100% assessment (part year only) visiting 100%

Module availability

This module is available on the following courses:



Optional Core