MA (French)

The MA in French is an appropriate means of achieving a very high degree of oral and written fluency in French in addition to developing competency in research methods and intellectual enquiry. The course provides the opportunity to study a number of research topics in French and Francophone Studies and acquire practice in literary or paraliterary translation. Graduate students achieve greater confidence in the knowledge and skills already acquired. In addition they become articulate members of society capable of contributing to professional and economic activities in a wide number of areas.

The programme comprises individual modules taught by experienced staff with a record of internationally recognised publications. The seminar-based format allows the productive combination of small-group tuition and varieties of student-centred learning, including translation experience. Tuition consists of specialist seminars in each semester and a year-long translation class. Seminars may include the following topics: Autofiction in French Literature: (Un-) Veiling the Self; Critical Approaches and Methods; Literature of Francophone Canada; Literature of France in Algeria; Representations of the Islamic Other in Medieval France; Spirituality and Literature; and Advanced French Language Studies. (Not all seminars will necessarily be offered each year.) 

Together, these courses allow students to enhance and expand existing personal connections with and insights into French and Francophone societies and cultures. The specialized dissertation prepared in the second semester will then allow the student to engage in an individually negotiated project, which will generate a substantial piece of personal research.