ObjectivesWhile a great deal of attention in the Western media in recent years has focused on the arrival of China as a significant player on the global stage, it is easily forgotten that France is still a leading force in world politics. This course offers you the opportunity to study these two very different, but in some ways complementary cultures and to begin to understand how they stand as counterpoints to Anglo-Saxon monoculturalism?.
Entry requirementsRequired subjects: B in French at A level IB score: 30-32 (6 in French at Higher Level)
Academic titleBA French and Contemporary Chinese Studies
Course descriptionBA French and Contemporary Chinese Studies
Programme
Year one
In French, in addition to core modules in the French language, you take optional modules in reading a variety of French texts (the novel, poetry, film, for example), contemporary French politics, economics and society, French history or French linguistics. In Chinese you begin a structured course in Mandarin Chinese (that leads you from beginners' stage to final degree level) and take optional modules in Chinese culture and institutions.
Year two
You consolidate your language studies and study a choice of modules offering further broad coverage of both subjects.
Year three
This year is spent abroad. For French, you can follow a programme of studies in a higher education institution, work as an assistant in a school, or take up a work placement in France or a Francophone country. For Contemporary Chinese Studies, you have the opportunity to learn about Mandarin and Chinese culture by spending a semester at our campus in Ningbo.
Year four
In both fields, you will perfect your command of both languages and their uses in increasingly sophisticated contexts, and study optional modules covering a wide range of topics in the fields of Chinese and French literature, history, society and linguistics.