SFF11320 French literature and cultural understanding (Autumn 2026)

Facts about the course

ECTS Credits:
10
Responsible faculty:
Faculty of Teacher Education and Languages
Campus:
Online
Course Leaders:
  • Hélène Celdran
  • Franck Orban
Teaching language:
French
Duration:
½ year

Table of contents

The course is affiliated to the following study programme

  • Mandatory course in the One-year French Programme (full-time and part-time).
  • Mandatory course in the 60 ECTS part of the Bachelor's Programme in Languages for students with French as one of their chosen languages.

Recommended previous knowledge

Prerequisites equivalent to French Level II from high school are recommended.

Teaching semester

  • One-year French Programme - full-time: 1. semester (autumn)
  • One-year French Programme - part-time: 3. semester (autumn)
  • Bachelor's Programme in Languages, with French as one of their chosen languages: 1. or 3. semester (autumn)

Content

The students shall acquire knowledge about France as a country, both within the EU and in the Francophone world. The course aims to contribute to cross-cultural insight and understanding, as well as an introduction to societal structures. It also explores French culture and society from a literary and socio-cultural perspective. Additionally, it covers various genres in French literature, literary devices, and literary history, with a focus on the 20th and 21st centuries. Other periods can also be discussed, where relevant to shed light on developments in French literature and culture.

The student's learning outcomes on passing the course

Knowledge

The student

  • has knowledge of geography, social structures, politics, and institutions in France
  • has knowledge of key features of daily life and society in French-speaking countries
  • has knowledge of various textual expressions in French such as novels, short stories, and comics
  • has knowledge of the literary-historical and social context of the works

Skills

The student

  • can compare, In French, key features of daily life and traditions in France with Norwegian culture
  • can explain key features of French society and politics
  • can produce different types of texts in French, both orally and in writing
  • can interpret literary texts and place them in their literary-historical context

General Competence

The student

  • can use reference works and sources independently and reflectively
  • can find relevant material in various media and with the help of ICT

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching and guidance are provided in online meetings via digital collaboration tools. The university college's learning platform is used for the distribution of foundational documents, central study materials, assignments, and other relevant information about the subject. Self-study is included in the learning methods.

Workload

Approx. 280 hours

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

  • 60% compulsory attendance, evenly distributed between the two parts of the course
  • Required coursework in cultural studies: one written assignment in cultural studies (700 words, excluding bibliography), followed by an oral presentation of the assignment (max. 5 minutes)
  • Required coursework in literature: One individual written assignment in literature (700 words, excluding bibliography)

The required coursework is assessed as approved / not approved. The required coursework must be approved before the student can sit for the exam.

Exam

Partial examination in French cultural studies: Individual oral examination in cultural studies, duration approx. 30 minutes. No aids permitted. The oral examination is conducted via a digital collaboration tool online. Grading scale A - F.

Partial examination in French literature: Individual written home examination in literature, duration 5 hours. Approximately 1,000 words, excluding bibliography. All aids are permitted, except communication and collaboration with others on the answers. The examination assignment may further regulate the use of certain aids, for example the use of GenAI. Grading scale A - F.

Each partial examination counts for 50% of the final grade. Both examinations must be passed in order to receive a grade for the course. An overall grade is given on a grading scale of A-F.

Examiners

External or internal examiner(s). Oral examinations are assessed by two examiners.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

Students may re-sit for the partial exams separately if they fail one or both partial exams or wish to improve their grade.

Course evaluation

Feedback from our students is crucial for us to offer the best possible courses and study programs. This subject is evaluated in the following manner:

Mid-semester evaluation and ongoing evaluation/final evaluation

The results are reviewed by:

  • Teacher group
  • Head of studies
  • Programme committee

Reading list

The current reading list for 2026 Autumn can be found in Leganto
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 4:29:30 AM