Master of Arts in French

Purpose and Rationale of the qualification.

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

• Advanced mastery of French, combined with the cultural knowledge and intercultural skills needed for successful communication, to enable the learner to add high-level person power to careers in which an in-depth knowledge of French is required;
• Multicultural skills learnt through language and literature-related study of and in French, which provide an increased flexibility, sensitivity and understanding for South Africa's multicultural society;
• Advanced competence in the application of related research methodology to an aspect of the French language and culture, as well as the increased ability to reflect on the applications made;
• Advanced competence in proper written and/or oral French of the research process and findings as applied to an aspect of the French language and culture, as well as an increased ability to reflect on the communication made;
• Advanced competence in communication and application of ongoing work and research as applied to an aspect of the French language and culture, as well as an increased competence to reflect on these processes.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

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

a) Mastery of modern French, combined with the cultural knowledge and intercultural skills needed for successful non-mother-tongue communication.

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

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

d) Translation skills both into and from modern French which include the mastery of a limited number of theories of translation and the ability to apply them to a variety of texts.

e) Sufficient knowledge of literary theory to identify important issues relevant to the field and the ability to identity ad discuss specific applications of theoretical trends

f) A thorough general knowledge of French literary eras and trends

Potential learners should possess an Honours Degree in French, or it's equivalent, i.e. 520 Credits on Level 7 of the NQF.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All potential learners who do not have an Honour Degree on French 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 qualification me need to apply to the Accreditation Committee of the Faculty of Arts for Recognition of Prior Learning.

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

The Committee will assess learners 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.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Arts Honours in French, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Arts Honours: French Literature, NQF Level 8.

Learners should be able to

1. Demonstrate superior knowledge and ability in applying the theoretical principles of problem identification and solving in the field of the French language and culture and reflect on the application made.
2. Plan and conduct high-level research independently in the field of the 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, on a high scientific level and reflect upon the communication made.
4. Demonstrate a high-level theoretical and practical macro vision of the importance of the French language as one of the ten most spoken languages in the world and as the official language of 22 African countries.
5. Display 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, word banks) for language practitioners efficiently.
7. Participate effectively in group situations with a clear focus on their clients;
8. Make use of opportunities effectively and responsibly in the field of research on the French language and culture and accept the responsibility for their own activities in this field.
9. Explore efficient high-level learning and research 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 professional bodies at senior levels where knowledge of the French language and culture is needed.
12. Organise their activities, demonstrate the requisite theoretical and research skills, assess their strengths and weaknesses and also demonstrate organisational skills.

1. Do the learners demonstrate superior knowledge and ability to 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 the learners able to plan and carry out research independently in the field of the French language and culture, including the gathering synthesis and interpretation of information or subjects relating to this field? Are learners able to conduct research honestly and correctly by using the relevant theoretical research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken?
3. Can learners communicate effectively, clearly and accurately in French, orally and in writing on a high scientific level? Can they reflect upon the communication made?
4. Have learners developed a micro 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. Can the learners utilise appropriate technology (computer, wordbanks etc) for language practitioners efficiently?
7. Can learners participate effectively in group situations, with a clear focus on their on their clients?
8. Are the learners able to make use of opportunities effectively and responsibly in the field of research on the French language and culture and accept responsibility for their own activities in this field
9. Are the learners able to explore different efficient high-level learning and research 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 can they reflect critically on the use thereof?
11. Do the learners demonstrate acceptable employment-seeking skills for the entry into professional bodies at senior levels where knowledge of the French language and culture is needed?
12. Are the learners able to organise their activities, to demonstrate the requisite theoretical and research skills, to assess their strengths and weaknesses organisational skills?

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented;

The learner presents one or more seminars to the Department and other experts gathered to check, control and mentor methodology, ideas and formulation.

Regular meetings for critical discussions of the text of the dissertation with the supervisor ensure that assessment and control are continuous.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

The learner has to submit a dissertation that will be examined by the supervisor. Every Master's student must submit an article that is ready for publication. Actual acceptance of the article is not a condition for receiving the Degree. The learner must also present a formal seminar on his/her research findings. The dissertation will also be examined by a suitably qualified external examiner from a reputable higher education institution.