Bachelor of Arts Honours in French

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with

a) Mastery of modern French, combined with the cultural knowledge and intercultural skills needed for successful non mother-tongue communication, to prepare the learner for careers in which a knowledge of French is required;

b) Research skills to enable learners to find an interpret information independently for research projects and to construct logical, well-founded arguments;

c) Communication skills (both spoken and written) in modern French;

d) Translation skills both into and from modern French.

To enrol for this qualification, potential learners need to demonstrate the following competencies

*the ability to read and interpret a range of texts in French;

*the ability to conduct a coherent conversation in French;

*the ability to write French correctly;

*the ability to demonstrate listening skills by means of comprehension test on an audio document;

*the ability to translate texts with a non-specialised content correctly into and from French;

*the ability to give a coherent literary analysis in French of French literary texts;

*the ability to draw on a thorough general knowledge of the French language and culture;

*The ability to reflect on his/her own learning experiences.

Potential learners should possess a BA-degree with French as a major, i.e. 360 credits on level 6 of the NQF. A knowledge of Latin is a recommendation.

Recognition of prior learning

All potential learners who are not in possession of a BA- degree with French as a major need to provide proof of an equivalent qualification. Those who claim that they have achieved relevant prior learning which should give them access to the programme need to apply to the Accreditation Committee of the Faculty of Arts for recognition of prior learning.

Potential learners who want to be credited for prior learning and/or experience for a particular module or modules, need to apply in writing to the Departmental Chairperson of the department offering the module or modules the learner wishes to be credited for, clearly stating the title(s) of the module or modules they want to be credited as well as the basis on which they believe the accreditation should be granted.

The principles of RPL are subscribed to and will be implemented in a flexible manner. The principle of flexible and open access will, however, be offset against the provision that this is not be to the detriment of the potential student and his/her chances to succeed must be reasonable.

The committee will assess learner's competencies in order to determine whether they are eligible for a) access to, b) advanced placement in, or c) recognition of status for this qualification.

The learners should be able to

1. Demonstrate their knowledge of, and ability in applying the theoretical principles of the problem identification and solving in the field of the French language and culture and reflect on the application made;
2. Plan and conduct research in the filed of French language and culture, including the gathering, synthesis and interpretation of information on subjects relating to this field. Research should be conducted correctly and honestly by utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and learners must be able to reflect on the research undertaken;
3. Communicate clearly, effectively and accurately in French, both orally and in writing, in French and reflect upon the communication made;
4. Developed a theoretical and practical a macro-vision of the importance of French language as one of the ten most spoken languages in the world, and as the official language of 22 African countries;
5. Develop a cultural and aesthetic sensitivity in the field of the French language and culture, which for most of our learners is a foreign language and therefore also encourages the development of a cross-cultural sensitivity;
6. Utilise the appropriate technology (computer, wordbanks) for language practitioners efficiently;
7. Work effectively and professionally in teams (when necessary) for translation, communication or teaching situations, with clear focus on their clients;
8. Make use of opportunities effectively and responsibly in the field of applied knowledge of the French language and culture and accept responsibility for their own activities in this field;
9. Explore different efficient learning strategies in order to acquire sufficient knowledge in the field of the French language and culture;
10. Promote responsible citizenship through the intelligent mastery of discourse and to reflect critically on the use thereof;
11. Acquire employment-seeking skills for entry into a working context where the knowledge of the French language and culture is needed;
12. Organise their activities, demonstrate the requisite theoretical and practical skills, to assess their strengths and weaknesses and develop organisational skills.

1. Can learners identify, think through and solve problems in the field of the French language and culture by applying relevant theoretical principles? Can they reflect on the application made?
2. Are learners able to plan and carry out research in the filed of French language and culture, including the gathering, synthesis and interpretation of information on subjects relating to this field? Are the learners able to conduct research honesty and correctly by using the relevant theoretical research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken?
3. Can learners communicate effectively in French, both orally and in writing, into and out of modern French?
4. Have learners developed a macro-vision of the importance of French as an African and international language?
5. Do learners display a cultural and aesthetic sensitivity in the field of the French language and culture, as well as a cross-cultural sensitivity?
6. Do the learners utilise the appropriate technology (computer, wordbanks) for language practitioners efficiently?
7. Can learners work effectively and professionally in teams (when necessary) for translation, communication or teaching situations, with clear focus on their clients?
8. Are the learners able to make use of opportunities effectively and responsibly in the field of applied knowledge of the French language and culture and accept responsibility for their own activities in this field?
9. Are the learners able to explore different efficient learning strategies to acquire sufficient knowledge in the field of the French language and culture?
10. Are the learners able to promote responsible citizenship through the intelligent mastery of discourse and they reflect critically on the use thereof?
11. Do the learners demonstrate acceptable employment-seeking skills for entry into a working context where the knowledge of the French language and culture is needed?
12. Are the learners able to organise their activities, to demonstrate the requisite theoretical and practical skills, to assess their strengths and weaknesses and to develop organisational skills?

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

Since this degree takes the form of course work (except for the research module), formative assessment takes place continuously. The learner writes one essay per module, produces weekly translations and makes oral presentations.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of examinations in all the modules. An external examiner moderates the papers to be written, with a view to ensuring a high standard of work and the accurate marking of the examinations by internal examiners;

The research essay, which counts as a fifth module, is similarly subjected to an external examiner who scrutinises the standard of work and marking.