French and History, BA (Hons)

Course summary

If you’re passionate about history but also dream of spending time in France and becoming fluent in the language – how do you choose which degree to study: We say, choose both!This joint honours course allows you to combine your curiosity about human experience with your love of communicating in another language.With History modules ranging from ‘Central European History’ to ‘Liberating Africa’ and French modules taking you from 'La République Gaullienne' to 'French Cinema - The New Wave' – you’re able to truly personalise this degree around your personal interests or career aspirations.Many of our students say the year abroad is their course highlight. Not only do you have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the French language and culture, but spending time abroad can make you more independent and confident. Taking yourself out of your comfort zone won’t only benefit your degree, it’ll shape the person you are to become.

In year one, if you are taking French post-A level you will take two compulsory core modules. You will also choose further optional modules focusing on French history or contemporary France. If you are starting French at beginners' level, you will take 40 credits of core modules in the target language to take you from beginners' to advanced level. You will also take a 20 credit core modules introduce you to key areas of interest in the field of French Studies. In History you will you will take 60 credits of modules. Your core is module is Learning History. This module will show you how to reflect on the nature of history as a discipline and develop skills required for the writing and debating of history by practising skills and exploring methodology. In year two you will take 60 credits of French modules. On the beginners' route you will continue to work intensively on key skills in the French language in preparation for the year abroad. You will also take a core Introduction to French and Francophone Studies module. On the post-A level route your French language studies will be consolidated to prepare you for the year abroad. You will also choose from a range of modules in French and Francophone literature, culture and society, history, politics, linguistics and film. In year two history you will be able to select from an array of optional modules covering an extremely wide chronological and geographical range. Your third academic year is spent in France or a Francophone country either following a programme of studies in a higher education institution, working as an assistant in a school or on a work placement Year four is back in Nottingham. You will take 60 credits in French. French, beginners' and post-A level students will take the same core language module and all students will choose from a range of optional modules. You will develop your command of French to a high level and use it in increasingly sophisticated contexts. You will also study optional modules drawn from the areas of literature, culture and society, history, politics, visual culture and linguistics. You may write a dissertation in French studies. In history you will take 60 credits in History. You will select a Special Subject (which involves in-depth study of a particular topic taught in seminars) and one optional module. In addition, you can take specialist modules based on the research we are currently doing both in History and in French.