Course Catalogue

Humanities and Social Science

1. To equip students with a clear understanding of modern French history, from the nineteenth century to the present. 2. To allow students to critically engage with key ideas, events and themes in modern French history, and with the relevant historical literature. 3. To provide students with an opportunity to evaluate primary sources in a critical fashion.

Outline Syllabus:Liberty, Equality and Fraternity are the watchwords of modern day French Republicanism. For many people in France today they stand as symbols of democracy, freedom and tolerance – France’s gift to the world. Yet, what have such values meant in practice through the course of modern French history? How have these ‘eternal values’ been evoked, and to what purposes? How did the French square their commitment to Republicanism and democracy with the acquisition and maintenance (often through violence) of a global empire? And what became of these values during the brutal wars of decolonisation in Indochina and Algeria? In more modern times, how has France dealt with the impact of immigration from its former colonial territories and the profound cultural impact of such developments upon what it means to be ‘French’. Who is French anyway, what is ‘France’, and who is it that decides? Students will engage with a number of major topics in the history of modern France. These may include: the emergence of the French empire in the latter part of the nineteenth century; the impact of the First World War upon French culture, politics and society; the French empire between the two world wars; the political and social divisions of the 1930s; defeat and occupation during the Second World War; the wars of decolonization; the social and political upheavals of the 1960s; and the legacies of Empire.

Module Overview:
This module introduces students to key debates and themes in the history of modern France. Students will examine the elaboration of a particular idea of Frenchness in the course of the period and the challenges to it both within France and abroad; the development of French imperialism, the significance of the French civilising mission & its adaptation over time; the wars of decolonisation and their impact upon French politics, society and culture; the impact of Americanisation on modern day France; France as a post-colonial power and the social and cultural impact of decolonisation. No knowledge of French is required or expected of students on this module.

Additional Information:No knowledge of French is required or expected of students on this module.