A view of singleton campus including singleton park and the beach, with the sea stretching into the horizon.

Dr Alison Williams

Honorary Appointment (Human & Health Sciences)

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

a.j.williams@swansea.ac.uk

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

About

I am an Associate Professor of French in the Department of Modern Languages, Translation and Interpreting and have taught in Higher Education since 1995. I teach modules in French language and culture to undergraduate students and Advanced French-English Translation on our MA programmes: Professional Translation and Translation and Interpreting. I draw on my research specialisms in medieval literature and culture in teaching and supervising dissertations on the MA in Medieval Studies. I welcome postgraduate research proposals on medieval literature and am currently supervising research projects on Parzival and Middle English romance.

I have a particular interest in the medical humanities and have undertaken research on Rabelais and Marie de France in connection with this field. In addition, I have published on humour in medieval and early modern literature and on literary representations of history in medieval romance.

I am a Senior Fellow of the HEA and have a CELTA. I am committed to pedagogical innovations in language teaching and Medieval Studies.

Areas Of Expertise

Medieval literature
Early modern literature
Medical Humanities
Translation
Pedagogy

Publications

Research Highlights

Williams, A. (2021). “Acquiers toy parfaicte cognoissance de l'aultre monde, qui est l'homme”: Rabelais, the history of medicine, and medical humanism. Essays in French Literature and Culture, 58, 121-137.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58416
https://essaysinfrenchliteratureandculture.com/alison-williams-acquiers-toy-parfaicte-cognoissance-de-laultre-monde-qui-est-lhomme-rabelais-the-history-of-medicine-and-medical-humanism-essays-in-french/
Williams, A. (2021). Embodied Laughter: Rabelais and the Medical Humanities. In Daniel Derrin, Hannah Burrows (Ed.), The Palgrave Handbook of Humour, History, and Methodology (pp. 293-312). Springer International Publishing
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56646-3_15, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56951
Bryan, R., Aronson, J., Williams, A., & Jordan, S. (2021). A systematic literature review of LASA error interventions. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 87(2), 336-351.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.14644, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55657
Williams, A. (2012). Stories within Stories: Writing History in 'Fouke le Fitz Waryn'. Medium Aevum, 81(1), 70-87.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa11165
Williams, A. (2007). Courtly Lady, Starving Spouse and Partner in Crime: The Shifting Roles of Hermeline in the Roman de Renart. Nottingham French Studies, 46(1), 1-16.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33891
Williams, A. (2006). Sick Humour, Healthy Laughter: The Use of Medicine in Rabelais's Jokes. Modern Language Review, 101(3), 671-681.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33890
Williams, A. (2007). Manipulating the Past for the Sake of the Future: Optimistic Perspectives in the Outlaw Romance Fouke le Fitz Waryn. New Zealand Journal of French Studies, 28(1), 19-31.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33893
Williams, A. (2000). Tricksters and Pranksters: Roguery in French and German Literature of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Rodopi.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33889
Williams, A. (2000). Ritual in Branch XVII of the Roman de Renart (Mort et Procession Renart): A Key to a Carnivalesque Reading of the Texts?. Modern Language Review, 95, 954-963.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33892

All Research

Journal Articles

Williams, A. (2021). “Acquiers toy parfaicte cognoissance de l'aultre monde, qui est l'homme”: Rabelais, the history of medicine, and medical humanism. Essays in French Literature and Culture, 58, 121-137.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58416
https://essaysinfrenchliteratureandculture.com/alison-williams-acquiers-toy-parfaicte-cognoissance-de-laultre-monde-qui-est-lhomme-rabelais-the-history-of-medicine-and-medical-humanism-essays-in-french/
Bryan, R., Aronson, J., Williams, A., & Jordan, S. (2021). A systematic literature review of LASA error interventions. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 87(2), 336-351.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.14644, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55657
Williams, A. (2012). Stories within Stories: Writing History in 'Fouke le Fitz Waryn'. Medium Aevum, 81(1), 70-87.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa11165
Williams, A. (2007). Courtly Lady, Starving Spouse and Partner in Crime: The Shifting Roles of Hermeline in the Roman de Renart. Nottingham French Studies, 46(1), 1-16.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33891
Williams, A. (2007). Manipulating the Past for the Sake of the Future: Optimistic Perspectives in the Outlaw Romance Fouke le Fitz Waryn. New Zealand Journal of French Studies, 28(1), 19-31.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33893
Williams, A. (2006). Sick Humour, Healthy Laughter: The Use of Medicine in Rabelais's Jokes. Modern Language Review, 101(3), 671-681.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33890
Williams, A. (2000). Ritual in Branch XVII of the Roman de Renart (Mort et Procession Renart): A Key to a Carnivalesque Reading of the Texts?. Modern Language Review, 95, 954-963.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33892

Authored Books

Williams, A. (2000). Tricksters and Pranksters: Roguery in French and German Literature of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Rodopi.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33889

Book Chapters

Williams, A. (2021). Embodied Laughter: Rabelais and the Medical Humanities. In Daniel Derrin, Hannah Burrows (Ed.), The Palgrave Handbook of Humour, History, and Methodology (pp. 293-312). Springer International Publishing
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56646-3_15, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56951

Supervision

Middle English Romance: A re-evaluation of the literary and historical values of the genre (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Simon John

Taught Modules

HIMM01 Introduction to Advanced Medieval Studies 1: Skills and Approaches

This module introduces students to recent and current trends in medieval studies, to the research skills required for MA-level research, and to the medieval heritage of South Wales and the surrounding region. Seminars will consider the nature of medieval sources and texts, and a selection of themes that have made a significant impact upon medieval studies in recent years.
MLF280 Beginners' French for Business Students I

The module is specifically designed for students who have no previous knowledge of the French language. Student will acquire basic vocabulary as well as a grasp of fundamental grammatical structures and will be able to communicate in both written and spoken French. The four contact hours are dedicated to developing vocabulary, writing, reading, listening and speaking skills. Classes are conducted mainly in French. In addition to class work, students are also expected to undertake extensive private study.
MLF281 Beginners' French for Business Students II

This module follows on from Beginners' French for Business Students I. The module is specifically designed for students who have a basic knowledge of the French language. The aim of the module is to enable you to widen your vocabulary and to grasp of fundamental grammatical structures, enabling you to communicate in both written and spoken French. The four contact hours are dedicated to further developing your vocabulary, writing, reading and speaking skills. Classes are conducted mainly in French. In addition to class work, students are also expected to undertake extensive private study.
MLF321 French Intermediate Language

This module is the foundation of advanced level study of French which will equip students with the skills needed to use French in day-to-day life and professional environments. The module aims to consolidate and extend the language skills developed by students in their beginners' language modules and to facilitate their progress in linguistic competence. It concentrates on further developing fluency and accuracy in written and spoken French, establishing a firm grammatical understanding of the language, and extending students¿ vocabulary to read, write, interpret and speak about issues related to contemporary French society and culture. The module aims to enhance students¿ employability by providing a grounding in the vocabulary and use of French in contexts relating to the world of work. Classes are mainly conducted in French.
MLF322 French Intermediate Language

This module is the foundation of advanced level study of French which will equip students with the skills needed to use French in day-to-day life and professional environments. The module aims to consolidate and extend the language skills developed by students in their beginners' language modules and to facilitate their progress in linguistic competence. It concentrates on further developing fluency and accuracy in written and spoken French, establishing a firm grammatical understanding of the language, and extending students¿ vocabulary to read, write, interpret and speak about issues related to contemporary French society and culture. The module aims to enhance students¿ employability by providing a grounding in the vocabulary and use of French in professional contexts. Classes are mainly conducted in French.
MLF380 Intermediate French for Business Students I

This module is the foundation of the intermediate level study of French which will equip students who have previously taken Beginners' French for Business Students I and II. It concentrates on further developing fluency and accuracy in written and spoken French, establishing a firm grammatical understanding of the language, and extending students¿ vocabulary to read, write, interpret and speak about issues related to contemporary French speaking society and culture appropriate to levels B1+ of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The module also aims to enhance students¿ employability by providing a grounding in the vocabulary and use of French in contexts relating to the world of work. Classes are conducted mainly in French. In addition to class work, students are also expected to undertake extensive private study.
MLF381 Intermediate French for Business Students II

This module consolidates and extends the language skills developed from Intermediate French for Business Students I. It concentrates on further developing fluency and accuracy in written and spoken French establishing a firm grammatical understanding of the language, and extending your vocabulary to read, write and speak about issues related to contemporary French speaking society and culture. Topics are extended to business scenarios which will enrich your vocabulary and further the use of French in business context. Classes will be conducted mainly in French. In addition to class work, students are also expected to undertake extensive private study.
MLTM79A Report on Semester 1 Abroad

This module is only available to students who have successfully completed Year 1 of an Extended (240 credit/120 ECTS) MA in Translation and/or Interpreting and who are enrolled on a study abroad module in semester 1. This module consists of a report submitted to the Swansea Programme Director on completion of the semester. The report, of between 2,000 and 2,500 words, will reflect on the academic, professional and practical experience that the student has gained abroad, concluding with a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis and a professional development plan covering the first two years after graduation.

Key Grants and Projects

François Rabelais: Medical Humanist 2011 - 2013

, Supported by the Wellcome Trust

Dr Alison Williams

Email address

Twitter Account

About

Areas Of Expertise

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Journal Articles

Authored Books

Book Chapters

Supervision

Middle English Romance: A re-evaluation of the literary and historical values of the genre (current)

Taught Modules

HIMM01 Introduction to Advanced Medieval Studies 1: Skills and Approaches

MLF280 Beginners' French for Business Students I

MLF281 Beginners' French for Business Students II

MLF321 French Intermediate Language

MLF322 French Intermediate Language

MLF380 Intermediate French for Business Students I

MLF381 Intermediate French for Business Students II

MLTM79A Report on Semester 1 Abroad

Key Grants and Projects

François Rabelais: Medical Humanist 2011 - 2013