MPhil/PhD French

POST-GRADUATE PROGRAMMES IN FRENCH

 M.PHIL FRENCH

• Having taught the MPhil (French) programme for several years, the Department of Modern Languages has come to the realization that there is the need for amendments of the existing courses and the introduction of new courses to meet the demands of modern society.
• These changes are principally motivated by the need to orientate courses to satisfy job markets and towards the developmental needs of Ghana, Africa and the world at large. This is in line with the vision of the University as couched in the Corporate Strategic Plan 2005-2014 (PLAN2K14): “advancing knowledge in science and technology for sustainable development in Africa”.

 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have a good first degree (2nd Lower or better or a post-graduate qualification) relevant to the area of study. In addition they will be expected to take a written test followed by an interview.

 AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

1. MPhil French Translation and Interpreting.
2. MPhil French Literature and Society.
3. MPhil French Linguistics.
4. MPhil Teaching of French as a Foreign Language.
5. MPhil French for Specific Purposes.

All the courses focus on opportunities in the following areas:

1. Foreign Affairs.
2. Science & Technology (Medicine, Engineering, Environment, etc.).
3. Education.
4. Customs, Excise & Preventive Services.
5. Immigration.
6. Corporate Bodies & International Financial Institutions (Banks, Insurance Companies etc.).
7. NGO’s.
8. Language Bureaus in and outside Ghana.
9. Jobs within ECOWAS, Africa & UN at large.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 YEAR ONE (4 credit hours for each course)

 1.        FRENCH LITERATURE AND SOCIETY

FREN 508: CREATIVE WRITING

The aim of this course is to encourage students to do something original in an area where they are interested and talented. Beginning with an introduction to the nature, components and qualities of well-known literary genres, students would proceed, under supervision, to compose a number of poems, short stories, a novel, play etc., to be presented and assessed as a term paper, which could, all being well, published.

 FREN 510: SCIENCE AND FICTION

This course seeks to explore the various forms of relationship between science and technology, on one hand, and literature which is generally perceived to be the product of imagination. Emphasis would be on futuristic novels (H.G. Wells, Aldoux Huxley etc. and what is today generally called « science fiction » exemplified by Jules Vernes, Agatha Christie etc.). Such works of fiction suggest possible areas of scientific research that could be of immense benefit to mankind. Science, in turn, promotes easy access to, and facilitates understanding of literary works through cinema, video, computer, radio, television etc.

 FREN 519: LITERARY CRITICISM

This course aims at introducing students to a variety of approaches to literature. Among the host of methods may be mentioned the structuralist, the psychoanalytical and the semiotic approaches. The ultimate goal is to broaden students’ outlook by equipping them to approach literature from several viewpoints.

 

2. FRENCH APPLIED LINGUISTICS

FREN 509: Phonological Theory I

The course aims at introducing students to a wide range of the most up-to-date research in phonology or the systematic use of sound to encode meaning in any spoken human language (laboratory phonology, phonological prosody, tonology, cognitive phonology, vowel harmony, vowel quantity etc.). The diversity of sounds of the world’s languages, especially languages with oral traditions, will also be discussed.

 FREN 510: Phonological Theory II

Participants will be exposed to language acquisition and loanword phonology. The course also aims to provide further training in how to construct and present analyses of phonological data, how to solve phonological problems based on data from French and many other languages.

 FREN 527: Forensic Linguistics

This course deals with the application of language science to solving crime. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of oral, recorded or written texts collected at a crime scene and elsewhere with the view to identifying features that match the voice or handwriting profile of a particular suspect or information that is incriminating for that suspect. The results of tests conducted at various levels (writing, articulatory, acoustic or pragmatic) determine the weight of the evidence for the prosecution.

 

3. Translation and Interpreting

FREN 500: Research Methods

This course introduces students to research methodology. Concepts to be introduced include Research Problem, Aim of Study, Justification for choice of topic, Research Methodology type (Quantitative or Qualitative), Initial Hypothesis, Structure of the Work, Conceptual Framework and Literature Review, Data Collection (population, sampling methods, techniques of data collection), Validation of Initial Hypotheses, Presentation of References, Presentation of Bibliography/Sitography. Candidates will acquire knowledge and practical experience of research methods which are specific to translation studies.

 FREN 521: TRANSLATION THEORY AND METHODS I

The aim of this course is to introduce students to leading theories in translation to enable them to acquire the theoretical and methodological knowledge that is indispensable to the procedure and evaluation of translation.

 FREN 522: TRANSLATION THEORY AND METHODS II

This course is a continuation of FREN 521 (Translation Theory and Methods I). While the focus of FREN 521 is on Linguistic and Sociolinguistic Theories of Translation, FREN 522 is devoted to functional approaches to translation (i.e. those dealing with the context and purpose of the translation). The course also looks at translation methods and procedure. Finally, attention of participants will be drawn to major errors in translation.

 FREN 523: Introduction to Interpreting

The aim of this course is to introduce students to interpreting as an oral art distinct from translation which deals with already existing texts. Emphasis is laid on (a) its dual nature (simultaneous or consecutive) (b) breath control (c) latency period (d) structural transformations (e) argumentative connectors (f) creativity (g) old and new information and (h) redundancy.

 FREN 524: SIMULATED Interpreting

Building on the previous semester’s module, this is a course aiming at introducing students to the art of training conference interpreters. The programme includes lectures, seminars, presentations, practical interpreting in selected settings (e.g. medical, political, and legal settings) and simulated events such as mock conferences.

 FREN 525: PRACTICAL TRANSLATION I

Candidates will practise operating within a particular theoretical framework which will allow them to make informed decisions in the production of a target text and to comment on their decisions.
Students choose one or/and two of the following:
Practical Translation: French-English 
Practical Translation: Ghanaian Language-English.

FREN 526: PRACTICAL TRANSLATION II

Candidates will make informed decisions in the production of a target text (in French) and to comment on their decisions. Students choose one or/and two of the following:
Practical Translation: English-French 
Practical Translation: Ghanaian Language-French.

 FREN 527: Critique of Translation

This course deals with reasoned or critical assessment that critics of translation have made and continue to make of particular translation works. Themes that feature prominently here include the presence of the translator in his translation, the place of adaptation in translation or vice versa, the translation of neologisms, the translation of cultural words, the difference between literary, scientific and technical translation. 

 FREN 528: Scientific and Technical Translation

This course is intended to introduce students to scientific and technical translation in contradistinction to literary translation. For Scientific Translation, the main distinguishing features are (a) the use of primary or primitive verbs (b) use of quantifiers (c) use of presentatives and (d) nouns of phenomena and nouns of operation. Technical Translation, for its part, is characterized by a distinct vocabulary and distinct rational words. These scientific methods will be applied to the following areas: International Relations, Law, Business, Banking and Finance, Media, Information Technology etc.

 

4. TEACHING OF FRENCH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE / FRENCH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

FREN 531: THEORY AND METHODS OF TEACHING FRENCH I

This course focuses on the theory and practice of the teaching of foreign language with special reference to French. The course examines in detail the different Theories and Methodologies of language teaching with emphasis on the communicative method, the various phases of the language class, classroom techniques and activities, types and role of teaching and learning materials.

 FREN 532: THEORY AND METHODS OF TEACHING FRENCH II

This course examines the preparation of lesson notes, the various institutions, the various types of evaluation associated with the teaching of French (i.e. CECR) etc.  Students will be given the opportunity of teaching practice in selected schools and finally present reports on their teaching practice.

 FREN 535: TEACHING FRENCH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES I

This course focuses on the concepts of teaching French for specific purposes; Theory and Methods of French lessons construction. Definition, origin and evolution of French for Specific Purposes will be examined.

 FREN 536: TEACHING FRENCH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES II

This course will emphasize the practicability of the teaching of French for specific purposes. Students will be given opportunities to teach French in specific areas using authentic documents. They will also be encouraged to write course units on specific areas.

 FREN 537: EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY I

This course aims at imparting to students knowledge about the necessary link between psychology and learning in general, thereby helping them to become future professionals in the area of language teaching/learning. Theory and concepts to be introduced include theory of learning, the laws of learning, interest, fatigue, reinforcement, reward, inhibition, motivation, environment, group work, dosage, progression, rate of retention of the brain, testing, halo effect.

 FREN 538: EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY II

This course continues to explore other areas of the psychology of education. The thrust of the course is on the following aspects: components of memory; theories on forgetfulness; techniques for minimizing forgetfulness; types and sources of motivation (intrinsic, extrinsic etc.); techniques for motivating students; the role of motivation in learning; transfer of learning; types of transfer (horizontal/vertical, positive/negative); conditions favouring transfer; teaching for transfer to occur.

 FREN 539: DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE I

This course will concentrate on the processes of conducting foreign relations abroad, in the belief that studies in diplomatic operations are a useful way of teaching or improving diplomatic skills and of broadening public understanding of diplomacy. Origins of Organized Diplomacy, the Development of Diplomatic Theory, Democratic Diplomacy and the Ideal Diplomat are some of the concepts that will come under review.

 FREN 540: DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE II

Topics to be discussed in the second semester include Diplomatic Language, Types of European Diplomacy, Recent Changes in Diplomatic Practice, Points of Diplomatic Procedure and the Foreign Service.

NB. Candidates are expected to take four courses (four credit hours each) per semester in addition to Research Methods. Three should be chosen from one’s area of specialization, and the rest from other areas.

 

YEAR TWO

FREN 551: SEMINAR PRESENTATION I (8 credit hours)

FREN 553: SEMINAR PRESENTATION II (8 credit hours)

 FREN 550: FINAL THESIS (16 credit hours)

Candidates are expected to undertake a research work under the supervision of a lecturer appointed by the Head of Department. The research topic, related to the area of specialization, is chosen in consultation with the supervisor.

 

DOCTORATE (Ph.D) FRENCH

Doctorate Programmes do not include any taught courses.

 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must hold a Master’s Degree in French from a recognized University and must submit a research proposal acceptable to the Postgraduate Coordinating Team. In addition, candidates will be required to pass a selection interview.

 AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

• PhD French Translation and Interpreting.
• PhD French Literature and Society.
• PhD French Linguistics.
• PhD Teaching of French as a Foreign Language.
• PhD French for Specific Purposes.