Explore UCD

UCD Home >

FR30380

Academic Year 2026/2027

The Story of African Francophone Cinema (FR30380)

Subject:
French
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Angélique Ibáñez Aristondo
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

***IMPORTANT*** Students studying French as part of their Stage 3 - 4 degree programme should enroll in this module. Students from CCI, Film Studies, and electives as well as students with no French proficiency are welcome to enroll in FR30400.

The course provides an introduction to the history, politics, and theory of narrative filmmaking in Francophone Africa, spanning from the 1960s to the present, with a particular emphasis on West African and Senegalese traditions and innovations. It examines key films and influential directors — including Sembène Ousmane, Safi Faye, Djibril Diop Mambéty, and Mati Diop — in a chronological sequence, beginning with the rise of filmmaking during the 1960s and 1970s amidst decolonization efforts and the 'Third Cinema' movement, and concluding with contemporary developments. A common thread is an exploration of the value of ‘story’ or ‘fiction’ in relation to film in diverse African contexts, as well as in the ways that we each approach cinema from our various locations, positionalities and lived experiences. Throughout the course, students will draw connections between past and present, fostering both historical and conceptual understanding. Suggested readings provide a variety of analytical, thematic, and theoretical frameworks, encouraging students to explore diverse approaches to analyzing narrative screen media, including close reading, historical context, area studies, and various theoretical perspectives such as postcolonial theory, gender theory, critical race theory, intersectionality, genre studies, and audience reception studies.

A significant part of this module will be delivered in French. Assessment will include an oral component in French, giving students in the later stages of their degree programme the opportunity to further develop their critical and analytical voice in the language. Although all films will be available with subtitles, some secondary sources will also be in French.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

- Improve understanding of the history of narrative filmmaking in Francophone Africa, particularly in West Africa and Senegal, from the 1960s to the present.
- Analyze the political contexts that have shaped African cinema, including decolonization struggles and postcolonial challenges
- Develop and improve film analysis skills, critically analyzing key films and the works of leading and lesser-known yet equally significant directors.
- Draw on a variety of theoretical frameworks, such as postcolonial theory, gender theory, critical race theory, intersectionality, genre studies, and audience reception studies.
- Enhance the ability to think creatively and critically about the role of narrative filmmaking in African societies and its impact on global cinema.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Competent

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Competent

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Advanced Beginner

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Advanced Beginner

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 5

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 5

Reduce inequality within and among countries 5
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

44
Autonomous Student Learning

44
Lectures

11
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Total

111

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; seminars; peer and group work; critical writing; reflective learning.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
FR30400 - FILM- Story of African Cinema


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): Mid-term oral exam about a film from the course programme (in French) Week 8, Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Exam (In-person): 2-hour end of trimester exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Print this page
Fill in the following details:
Enter the body of your query here.

From time to time UCD would like to send you further information that we feel, based on your enquiry, would be of interest to you.