1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 These regulations shall be read in conjunction with the University’s General Academic Regulations for Undergraduate degree programmes (hereinafter referred to as the General Regulations) as well as the Faculty of Arts Regulations.

1.2 The Modern Languages Department seeks to enable students to access the vast and wide-ranging opportunities offered by mastery of major Foreign Languages for the intellectual and socio-economic advancement of individuals and the development of the nation as a whole. Foreign Languages are viewed not only as means of communication but also as resources for African socio-economic empowerment and development within the highly competitive environment of a global village. Contact with French speech communities is therefore an essential component of this degree programme. Apart from the Work Related Learning experience, such contact will be realised through membership of such French cultural organisations as the Alliance Française and through regular participation in cultural activities organised by various Francophone communities and institutions in Zimbabwe. Contact will also be ensured through the creation of a multi-media cultural centre within the Department.

1.3 The Bachelor of Arts French Honours (HFRE) degree is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop communicative, literary and cultural competence and the related skills in French.

2. OBJECTIVES

The degree programme seeks to:
2.1 Develop students’ communicative competence in French to the most advanced level [level C1 or C2 in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), adopted by the DELF/DALF qualifications system in the case of French] ordinarily possible for learners of a foreign language;
2.2 Equip students with analytical tools to enable them to study and enjoy literary texts in French;
2.3 Develop an appreciation of the role of France and foreign language-related issues in the context of world history;
2.4 Develop students’ ability to conduct research and share findings in French on topics drawn from various aspects of language practice; and
2.5 Prepare students for the world of work through modules that develop their ability to function in various language practice professions.

 

3. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Normal Entry

To qualify for normal entry into the Bachelor of Arts French Honours (BAFH) degree, a candidate, in addition to satisfying the minimum requirements as
prescribed under the General Regulations, must have (at least) passed French at ‘O’ level (or equivalent) with at least grade ‘C’. A DELF/DALF Level A2
Certificate will be considered as an equivalent of the ‘O’ Level pass.

3.2 Special Entry

Refer to Section 3.2 of the General Regulations, except that prospective students must have passed French at ‘O’ level (or equivalent) with at least grade ‘C’ or hold a DELF/DALF Level A2 Certificate.

3.3 Mature Entry

Refer to Section 3.3 of the General Regulations, except that the prospective student must have passed French at ‘O’ level (or equivalent) with at least grade ‘C’ or hold a DELF/DALF Level A2 Certificate.

 

4. CAREER PROSPECTS

4.1 The degree programme opens up job opportunities for graduates in Zimbabwe and many other countries. Knowledge of French is an important
asset in sectors such as:
Academia, Business, Diplomacy, Education, Hospitality, International Organisations (e.g. AU, COMESA, SADC, and UN), Media, NGOs (Amnesty International, Doctors without Borders, Transparency International, etc.), Publishing; and Tourism

4.2 The Bachelor of Arts French Honours (HFRE) opens windows of opportunity to a host of careers, including:Broadcasters, Civil Servants, Diplomats, Embassy Personnel, International Civil Servants. Interpreters, Journalists, Teachers of French, Tour Guides, Translators and University Lecturers and Researchers.

5. GENERAL PROVISIONS

5.1 The degree programme is organized around three areas of study, namely:
i. French as a foreign language;
ii. Literature in French;
iii. Language practice (translation; interpretation; language policy, planning and management; foreign language education).

5.2 Core modules cover areas of common interest for all HFRE students, particularly the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, hence the prominence given to language, discourse analysis and literature modules among core modules. Electives offer avenues for specialisation in any of the three areas of study listed above. An Honours dissertation should ordinarily reflect the specialisation path preferred by a given student. The language component (Intermediate and Advanced French modules) uses the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), adopted by the DELF/DALF qualifications system in the case of French, as an international benchmark and quality-assurance mechanism.

5.3 The Bachelor of Arts French Honours (HFRE) degree can be taken either as a full time or a part-time (block release) degree programme. Normally, the
programme is completed over 8 semesters (4 years) comprising three (3) levels of formal classroom work at Level 1, 2 and 4, and a Work Related Learning
period of not less than ten (10) months during Level 3.

5.4 Each student is required to earn at least 32 credits at each of Levels 1, 2 and 4, and 40 credits at Level 3. The awarding of the degree shall be in accordance with the provisions of the General Regulations.

5.5 Modules studied at other universities are credited at the discretion of the Department and Academic Board. For BAFH 450 Dissertation, students are required to submit the dissertation by the date determined by the Department. The dissertation is worth 8 credits.5.6

5.7 Prerequisites
Intermediate and Advanced French Language modules are prerequisites and must be passed before a student takes the next level French Language module.

6. ASSESSMENT

6.1 Assessment will be formative and summative and will incorporate continuous assessment and formal examinations.

6.2 Continuous Assessment

Continuous assessment will take the form of various tasks and will be determined by module lecturers in consultation with the Head of the Modern Languages Department. Candidates who fail to fulfill continuous assessment requirements may be barred from sitting for the examination.

6.3 Examinations

Examinations shall normally be at the end of each semester. Each module will be examined by a paper which is at most 3 hours long. In determining marks for modules, weighting is normally as follows:

Continuous Assessment: Examinations:

40% 60%

 

6.4 Conditions governing carry-over and repeating of modules are stipulated in the General Regulations. However, language modules are prerequisites and must be passed before a student can take the next level module.

6.5 Supplementary examinations may be allowed in accordance with the provisions of the General Regulations.

 

 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Level 1 Semester 1
Code	Module Descriptions Pre-requisites Credits	Credit
HFRE 101 HFRE 102 HFRE 103 HFRE 104	Intermediate French Language I Profciency in Spoken French and stylistics Text analysis in French African oral and written literature in French	4 4 4 4
CS 101	Basic Communication Skills	4

Level 1 Semester 2

HFRE 105 HFRE 106 HFRE 107 HFRE 108 CS 102 HCS 115	Intermediate French Language II (HFRE 101) Conversational French Comparative Francophone literature France and its Colonial Legacy Extended Communication Skills Introduction to Information Technology	4 4 4 4 4 4
Level 1 Elective Modules (offered in either semester)
HFRE 109 HFRE 110 HFRE 111 HFRE 112 HFRE113	Aspects of French Culture Introduction to Translation Introduction to French for Business Introduction to French for Tourism Introduction to Language Policy, Planning and Management Theory	4 4 4 4
HFRE 115 HFRE 116	Basic French I Basic French II (HFRE 115)	4 4
Level 2 Semester 1
HFRE 201 HFRE 202 HFRE 203 HFRE 204 ENT 205 GS 201	Intermediate French Language III (HFRE 105) Oral Communication Skills in French French Literature Introduction to Discourse Analysis in French Entrepreneurship I Introduction to Gender Studies	4 4 4 4 4 4
Level 2 Semester 2
HFRE 205 HFRE 206 HFRE 207 HFRE 208	Cinema in French Advanced French Language I (HFRE 201) Discourse Analysis in French France in World Affairs	4 4 4 4
Level 2 Elective Modules (offered in either semester)
HFRE 209 HFRE 210 HFRE 211 HFRE 212 HFRE 213	French Literature of the 19th Century Translation Theory and Practice French for Business French for Tourism Language Policy and Language Planning	4 4 4 4 4
Level 3 Semester 1 & 2 Work Related Learning
HFRE 301 HFRE 302 HFRE 303	Work Related Learning report Academic Supervisor’s Report Employers Assessment Report	15 15 10
Level 4 Semester 1
HFRE 401 HFRE 402	Advanced French language II (HFRE 206) Literary Criticism	4 4

 

HFRE 403 HFRE 404	Research Methods for Foreign Language Practice (French) Introduction to French Linguistics	4 4
Level 4 Semester 2
HFRE 405 HFRE 450	Advanced French language III (HFRE 401) Dissertation	4 4
Level 4 Elective Modules (offered in either semester)
HFRE 406 HFRE 407 HFRE 408	17th Century French Literature Current Trends in French Literature Critical Discourse Analysis	4 4 4
HFRE 409 HFRE 410 HFRE 411 HFRE 412 HFRE 413	Interpretation Theory The Practice of Interpretation Issues in Professional Translation Teaching French as Foreign Language (FLE) French Literature of the 18th Century	4 4 4 4 4

 

MODULE SYNOPSES

HFRE 101 Intermediate French language
The module enhances students’ grasp of the past perfect tense, and introduces the simple past as well as the conditional tenses. Written and audio-visual documents will be used to ground the use of linguistic structures in the context of authentic communicative situations. Writing will entail the production of moderately long essays (500-700 words), both factual and creative. Oral practice will entail laboratory drills and oral presentations in French. Targeted competence is comparable to the CEFR B1 level.

HFRE 102 Profciency in Spoken French and stylistics
BAFH 102 Profciency in Spoken French and Stylistics develops students’ conversational skills in French through basic conversational analysis leading to practice drills and simulated conversations. Cultural and discursive competencies are enhanced through the examination of particular choices made by individuals and social groups in their use of language. Discourse analysis of utterances and interactions helps to build up awareness of such aspects as register in the various discourse practices.

HFRE 103 Text analysis in French
The module prepares students for discourse analysis methodologies. It develops their reading skills in French through various activities based on texts drawn from a variety of domains such as the media and fiction.

HFRE 104 African oral and written literature in French
The module samples oral literature in French as well as fiction produced by African writers in the French language from the early 20th Century to date is explored. Key objectives of the module are to discover major African Francophone writers as well as to observe the evolution of genres, concerns, attitudes and worldviews over that period of time.

CS 101 Basic Communication Skills
Refer to Faculty of Arts Regulations.

CS 102 Extended Communication Skills
Refer to Faculty of Arts Regulations.

HFRE 105 Intermediate French language II
Building on BAFH 101, BAFH 105 will enhance learners’ command of the French language by introducing more complex structures, such as more relative pronouns and the pluperfect tense. The subjunctive mode will be introduced at this level. Oral and reading comprehension as well as oral and written text production will focus on demonstrating grasp of structures as well as enhancing lexical competence by broadening the range of themes and communicative situations treated. Oral practice will entail laboratory drills and oral presentations. Written tasks will continue to focus on factual and creative essays in French. The length of essays will extend to 700-1000 words. This module still falls within the CEFR B1 level.

HFRE 106 Conversational French
Learners engage in meaningful discussions and debates of topical issues in French. They will listen to radio and/or watch televised debates, interviews and discussions in French. Thereafter, they will respond to the issues raised through spontaneous comments, questions and discussions. Students will also present exposés on various topics as well as participate in formal debates. Competent speakers of French may be invited as guests to interact with learners around various topical issues as part of this module.

HFRE 107 Comparative Francophone literature
The module offers the students an overview of the diversity of literature in French across the francophone world from Canada through the Caribbean to Africa. The module thus covers former French and Belgian colonies. Other than particular writers, the module will also explore major literary movements such as Negritude.

HFRE 108 France and its Colonial Legacy
The role played by France in world affairs is explored. While the module may deal with various epochs in the history of France, its focus will be on the place and role of France in contemporary international relations, with particular interest in Afro-French relations.

HFRE 109 Aspects of French Culture
This is a general overview of selected aspects of French worldview and culture. A significant feature of the module will be to offer students an opportunity to compare and contrast typically French values, cultural practices and ideologies with their own. This module will therefore highlight the intercultural value of studying French as a foreign language.

HFRE 110 Introduction to Translation
Students are introduced to the practice of translation. While elements of translation theory will be discussed, the module will take an inductive approach. Starting with the translation of selected documents and reflection on the processes and challenges involved, the learner will move on to the theoretical implications of choices made by the translator.

HFRE 111 Introduction to French for Business
This module focuses specifically and exclusively on discourses and discursive practices drawn from aspects of the business world, such as commerce, marketing, economics, and banking.

HFRE 112 Introduction to French for Tourism
This module deals with discourses and discursive practices drawn from aspects of tourism, such as travel, hospitality, fauna and flora, and marketing.

HFRE 113 Introduction to Language Policy, Planning and Management Theory
This module opens up the world of language policy, planning and management to the foreign language student. Given the use of these concepts throughout human history as an means of gaining and consolidating the power of certain social groups in relation to others, the concepts of power and
hegemony will be given particular prominence in this and other modules on this subject.

HFRE 115 Basic French I
This module is meant for total beginners in French who wish to develop basic communicative competence in French. It will develop basic linguistic and communicative skills as well as concomitant intercultural awareness to enable the learner to interact with speakers of French at a basic level.

HFRE 116 Basic French II
Building on BAFH 115 Basic French I, BAFH 116 builds up the learner’s communicative competence in terms of conversation and writing up to reporting past events, stating wishes and expressing conditions.

HFRE 201 Intermediate French Language III
This module builds on the two previous intermediate French modules, bringing the students to a competency level equivalent to European CEFR Level B2. Students are expected to express themselves in both oral and written forms with minimal lexico-grammatical glitches. The module will develop awareness of the finer differences between the various verb tenses and modes through the concept of verb aspect. Text production will entail significantly longer pieces of work (1000-1300 words) and other genres such as poetry.

HFRE 202 Oral Communication Skills in French
Following on BAFH 106 Conversational French, BAFH 202 further develops students’ ability to engage in meaningful discussions and debates on various topics. While students will still be required to prepare and present exposés on various topics as well as participate in formal debates, the module will further sensitise them to typical French strategies of constructing power relations in interactive situations requiring verbal communication. As with BAFH 106 Spoken French II, competent speakers of French may be invited to interact with learners around various topical issues as part of this module.

HFRE 203 French Literature
This module surveys French literature from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era. Works of selected canonical French authors will be sampled. Students will also discover major French literary movements since the Middle Ages.

HFRE 204 Introduction to Discourse Analysis in French
This is an introduction to the concept of discourse as language in social life. It makes learners aware of the existence within the same speech community of ‘varieties’ of the same language determined by the social domain in which that language is used, such that the discourses of medicine differs significantly from those, for instance, of Shona traditional healing or gender relations.

HFRE 205 Cinema in French
French cinema occupies a privileged place in the history of cinema. BAFH 205 gives a historical overview of the development of French cinema. The module also samples selected cinematographic works representative of particular epochs and movements.

HFRE 206 Advanced French Language I
In terms of equivalency, this module remains mostly in the B2 level of CEFR but builds towards the C1 level. Students work on a selection of more complex texts covering a range of contexts and issues leading to the production of similar texts of their own on the same issues.

HFRE 207 Discourse Analysis in French
BAFH 208 builds on BAFH 204 Introduction to Discourse Analysis in French. It introduces students to theories, approaches as well as to the practice of discourse analysis in French. The aim of this module is to sensitise students to the way power relations are shaped through language use across the social domains.

HFRE 208 France in World Affairs
This module takes a closer look at the role played by France in World Affairs through international organisations, such as the United Nations, The Bretton Woods institutions, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance Française.

HFRE 209 French Literature of the 19th Century
Attention will be given to canonical 19th Century French authors who have influenced the evolution of literary genres. Focus will be on major literary movements as well as major authors across the genres.

HFRE 210 Translation Theory and Practice
BAFH 210 builds on BAFH 110 Introduction to Translation. It deepens students’ understanding of various approaches to translation. More complex translation tasks are prescribed in order to prepare the student for the practical and professional experience of translation. One aspect introduced in this module is the use of technology, such as computer software for the professional translator. Particular emphasis is placed on the limits of such technology and the danger of replacing the human translator with the machine.

HFRE 211 French for Business
Building on work done in BAFH 111 Introduction to French for Business, learners enhance their grasp of Business French through a broadened lexicon and through more analysis of texts from this area as well as production of texts.

HFRE 212 French for Tourism
This module builds on work done in BAFH 112 Introduction to French for Tourism. Learners enhance their grasp of French for tourism through a broadened lexicon and through more analysis of texts from this area as well as the production of texts.

HFRE 213 Language Policy and Planning
Language policies and language planning practices in the SADC region are explored with a particular concern for the place and treatment of Foreign Languages such as French. The module will focus on case studies drawn from selected countries within the region.

HFRE 401 Advanced French language II
Students are now expected to operate at the C1 level of the CEFR. They will continue to work on a selection of more complex media and literary texts covering a range of contexts and issues.

HFRE 402 Literary Criticism
This module surveys major trends in French literary criticism. Various approaches are identified, characterised and applied to sampled texts.

HFRE 403 Research Methods for Foreign Language Practice (French)
The module prepares students for the production of their Honours Dissertation in French. It covers key issues and theories in research in such areas of language practice as foreign language education, literature, discourse analysis and translation.

HFRE 404 Introduction to French Linguistics
Various aspects of general linguistics in French are covered. Topics include the nature of language, language structure and the generation of meaning.

HFRE 405 Advanced French Language III
Students are expected to operate at more or less the highest level expected of speakers of French as a foreign language, which is roughly the equivalent of the C2 level of the CEFR. They will continue to work on a selection of more complex media and literary texts covering a range of contexts and issues.

HFRE406 17th Century French Literature
BAFH 406 explores developments in literature in France during this era.

HFRE 407 Current Trends in French Literature
This module introduces students to a selection of contemporary French writers.

HFRE 408 Critical Discourse Analysis in French
More aspects of discourse analysis, including the critical appraisal of discourse analysis approaches and methodologies are explored.

HFRE 409 Interpretation Theory
This is an introductory module to the theory and practice of interpretation. Opportunities will be sought to enable students to carry out real interpretation tasks.

HFRE 410 The Practice of Interpretation
This module builds on BAFH 410 Interpretation Theory. It entails more tasks for the student as s/he is prepared for the challenges of real-life interpretation.

HFRE 411 Issues in Professional Translation
This is an advanced translation module that enhances theoretical grounding in translation and offers more opportunities to practice translation of authentic documents. A major objective will be to build up the translator’s vocabulary in various domains, such as the economy and health. The module also offers insights into the experiences of professional translators.

HFRE 412 Teaching French as Foreign Language (FLE)
Various foreign language teaching approaches and methods are discussed with emphasis on the notion of the reflective teacher of French. The module covers theories pertaining to strategies used by the foreign language learner and communicative strategies for the foreign language classroom. Finally, it focuses on foreign language lesson preparation and evaluation.

HFRE 413 French Literature of the 18th Century
Students discover a pivotal epoch in the history of ideas in France: “The Age of the Enlightenment”. The module covers various authors who contributed to the construction of modern and postmodern French worldview and ideologies, such as materialistic irreligion.

HFRE 450 Dissertation
Students will conduct research culminating in a Dissertation of between 7000 and 10000 words or 20 to 30 pages in length in French. Students may select topics from any area covered in this programme, such as foreign language education, literature, discourse analysis, culture, and translation. Research and dissertation writing will be conducted under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Department.