• Identify factual information about their chosen language area taught during the course,
• Identify rules governing grammar in their chosen language

The course is built up around two dimensions – content and language. The content dimension provides a general introduction to the modern French-speaking parts of the world. The course broadly follows the thematic organisation of the parallel Globalisation Studies lecture series and draws on the addressed theories and concepts. These conceptual approaches are presented in conjunction with perspectives and concepts rooted in the specific language area, so that students develop an understanding of different theoretical traditions, and enhance their nationally specific knowledge as well as their cultural sensitivity.

The course presents a basic historical and geographical introduction to French-speaking areas with a view to illustrating the diversity and commonalities of societies sharing a common use of French in the global world of today. The 1st part of the course presents factual information on French-speaking countries as well as their cooperation within Europe and the Francophonie; while the 2nd part of the course explores cases illustrating interactions between the global and local contexts as they are expressed in selected Francophone countries. What links these cases is that they either exemplify how societal contexts contribute in shaping local understandings of global developments or how global developments and debate influence local understandings and developments.

The language dimension is aimed at improving the students’ basic grammar skills, pronunciation and fluency as well as and their reading and oral comprehension. Emphasis will also be placed on learning and exercising phrases needed in order to make presentations and participate in class discussions.