French at HKU
FREN3023
Media watch: Tracking French news
FREN3023
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Media watch: Tracking French news
First semester
6 credits
Assessment:
100% coursework
Prerequisites:
FREN2002 or equivalent
Co-requisites:
nil
Hours per week:
2 hrs/week
Contact hours:
24 hours
Total learning hours:
120 hours
This course focuses on the media industry in France and the management of information in relation to news and current affairs on the national scene. There will be a detailed scrutiny of the French press in its various forms: newspapers, periodicals, radio, TV, and Internet. Students shall compare and contrast how the different media process information and target their audience according to political, social or gender affiliation, commercial interest, and intended readership. By doing so, they will also be keeping abreast with the country’s current affairs. The medium of instruction and all the materials used will be in French.
Objectives
Gain a better understanding of the French media and how they relate to French society; get acquainted with France’s current affairs and issues; develop critical reading through the identification of the agenda and interests served by a story; expand French language proficiency in the various skills.
Learning outcomes
1) Use knowledge of the media industry to analyse and critique cultural, societal aspects and current issues of contemporary France. 2) Interpret and analyse texts drawn from the French media. 3) Demonstrate familiarity with forms and techniques that are characteristic of journalistic styles in France. 4) Use the French language at a level of upper-intermediate proficiency consistent with level B1+/B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).