Grammar, Translation and Literature

Aim and Content

The course consists of the following components:

• French grammar
• Translation Norwegian-French/French-Norwegian
• 5 literary works

Working with translation and grammar will give the students greater insight and proficiency in modern French.

The literary study (5 works, 2 of these written before 1600) will give the student knowledge of both older and modern French literature.

Learning Outcomes

After completing the course the student will have knowledge of modern approaches to French grammar, and they should have read 5 literary works, possibly extracts. At least two of these must pertain to the period before 1600. The students should also be able to use modern literary and/or linguistic analytical methods.

Furthermore, they will have insight into contrastive problems related to translations between Norwegian and French.

The students should be able to explain the main aspects of modern French grammar. They should be able to translate, from French to Norwegian and from Norwegian to French, authentic texts from different genres.

The students will after the completion of the course have the foundation to do further research in modern French grammar and literary studies.

Course offered (semester)

Spring

Language of Instruction

French and Norwegian

Course Unit Level

Master

Access to the Course Unit

The course is open to all with admission to the Master's programme at the University of Bergen.

Pre-requirements

Bachelor degree with a specialisation in French.

Recommended previous knowledge

French 100- and 200-level or similar.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and seminars in grammar, translation and literature will be given. One double session per week per discipline for about 10 weeks.

Compulsory Requirements

In order to take the exam, two translation exercises must be approved (one Norwegian-French and one French-Norwegian).

The reading list has to be handed in and approved of within the agreed date.

Assessment methods

The exam is divided into three parts:

1. A written school exam in grammar (three hours)

2. A written school exam in translation (four hours)

During the written exam it is possible to use monolingual (French-French or Norwegian-Norwegian) dictionary approved by the Department.

3. An oral exam in literature.

Each part is graded using the A-F grading scale and each part counts 1/3 of the final grade. It is possible to carry over the parts that are passed for two semesters beyond the semester the exam was passed in.

Grading Scale

The grading scale A-F is used, where F is a fail.

Reading List

Grammar: about 200 pages from a larger work on French grammar, possibly in combination with articles about themes within French grammar.

Literary and/or language studies of 5 selected works. 2 of these must pertain to the period before 1600.

There is no fixed reading list for translation, but the translation exercises can be related to the literary works on the candidate's obligatory reading list.

Any changes to the reading list will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Place of Teaching

Bergen

Course Unit Evaluation

The teaching is evaluated according to the quality assurance system of the University of Bergen.

Contact Information

studierettleiar@if.uib.no