This course will explore the experience and legacies of colonialism in France's vast empire, covering geographic areas as diverse as Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam), Sub-Saharan Africa (Cameroon, Senegal), the Maghreb (Algeria), and metropolitan France. Each week we will study one film from across the francophone world in order to learn about France's colonial past. We will examine the ways in which French directors imagine and represent this history, and consider the responses of directors from the former colonies. We will also explore the legacies of the French colonial project in multiethnic contemporary France. The films we will study introduce a range of complex questions related to immigration, violence, exile, and belonging. They ask us to consider how both France and its former colonies have come to terms with their colonial pasts and their postcolonial identities. In each instance, we will seek to interrogate the relationship between form and content, in other words, between the filmic image and the historical and political realities in question. Knowledge of French is not required.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:- critically analyse the films, especially in terms of their aesthetic, linguistic, historical and societal components;
- compare and contextualize filmic interpretations;
- appreciate the relationship between form and content in a set of 20th-century and contemporary French and francophone films;
- formulate, present, and evaluate an original film analysis; and
- develop insights into a major non-English speaking culture and into international debates about identity, memory, the history of imperialism.
Indicative Assessment
2 In-class quizzes, 25 minutes each (10% each for a total of 20%) [Learning outcomes 1-4]3 Reaction papers, 1000 words each (15% each for a total of 45%) [Learning outcomes 1-4]
Final In-class written test, 50 minutes (25%) [Learning outcomes 1-4]
Class participation, including online activities (Wattle), comprehension questions for each film, and readings to be completed outside class (10%) [Learning outcomes 1-5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 48 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 12 hours of lectures, 24 hours of screenings, and 12 hours of tutorials, and
b) 82 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Readings will be listed on the course Wattle site.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $3180 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $4890 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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