Course Aims: • Investigate the evolution of French multicultural society and its social issues, giving you a clear insight into French life. • Explore the political development and artistic phenomena of French-speaking countries to gain a broad appreciation of French culture. • Understand French multiculturalism by reflecting on the 220 million people who speak French worldwide. • Evaluate defining aspects of French politics, history, and society, including current issues highlighted by the news • Engage critically with intellectually stimulating texts, films, and music, giving you a culturally stimulating and entertaining learning experience. The topic areas detailed below, act as a vehicle through which you will study grammar in depth and ensure you acquire a very broad vocabulary which will increase your confidence and fluency by the end of the course. Social issues and trends in French-speaking society include: • The changing nature of family (La famille en voie de changement) • The ‘cyber-society’ (La « cyber-société ») • The place of voluntary work (le rôle du bénévolat) • Positive features of a diverse society (Les aspects positifs d’une société diverse) • Life for the marginalised (Quelle vie pour les marginalisés?) • How criminals are treated (Comment on traite les criminels) Political and artistic culture in France or a French-speaking country including: • A culture proud of its heritage (une culture fière de son patrimoine) • Contemporary francophone music (La musique francophone contemporaine) • Cinema: the 7th art form (Cinéma : le septième art) • Teenagers, the right to vote and political commitment (Les ados, le droit de vote et l’engagement politique) • Demonstrations, strikes – who holds the power? (Manifestations, grèves – à qui le pouvoir ?) • Politics and immigration (La politique et l’immigration) • Literary texts and films La Haine In year 12 you will discover, and study in-depth, arguably the most renowned and significant example of modern French film, La Haine. As well as giving an insight into a style that became a landmark in French cinematography, La Haine provides an opportunity to examine many of the themes from the course, touching as it does on the changing nature of family, life for the marginalized, how criminals are treated, contemporary French music, teenagers, demonstrations, strikes, and politics and immigration, as well as cinema. You will develop the skills required to discuss a film in depth, from cinematographic techniques to its relevance in modern French culture. The novel, which we study in year 13, is “Un Sac de Billes”. It is a fascinating story, told through the eyes of a young Jewish boy. This semi-autobiographical account allows us to analyze in depth a significant period in the history of France and also provides a vehicle to discuss the themes of racism and immigration from a different perspective. You will learn how to structure an essay, and how to present your ideas clearly and concisely, backing them up with evidence from the film and book. In the final exam, you will be required to write 1 essay on the film, and another on the book.