Unit information: France and the 'Other' (Level I Special Field) in 2011/12

Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.

Unit name France and the 'Other' (Level I Special Field)
Unit code HIST20022
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Cervantes
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

HIST 23008 Special Field Project
School/department Department of History (Historical Studies)
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

In 1791, France became the first country in Europe to emancipate the Jews. Since then, it has been regarded as the nation of the Rights of Man. However, the long history of the 20th century forces us to question republican notions of tolerance: the trial of Alfred Dreyfus, the deportation of Jews, and the murder of Algerians in the Seine River all show that the history of the ‘other’ in France is in fact far more complicated. But who is this ‘other’? How has this definition changed since the late 19th century? Based on primary sources, this unit explores the dark side of modern French history. It aims not only to understand the history of race, religion and gender in contemporary France, but also to penetrate historically sensitive subjects through textual and visual evidence. No knowledge of French is necessary for this course.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students should have:

  • identified, analysed, and deepened their understanding of the significance of key themes in the study of race, religion and gender in 20th century France.
  • understood the historiographical debates that surround the topic
  • learned how to work with primary sources
  • developed their skills in contributing to and learning from discussion in a small-group environment

Teaching Information

Weekly 2-hour seminar

Access to tutorial consultation with unit tutor in office hours

Assessment Information

2-hour unseen written examination (summative, 100%)

The examination will assess their understanding of the unit’s key themes, the related historiography as developed during their reading and participation in / learning from small group seminars, and relevant primary sources. Further assessment of their handling of the relevant primary sources will be provided by the co-requisite Special Field Project (HIST 23008)

Reading and References

Hélène Berr, Journal (2008) (diary)

Ruth Harris The Man on Devil’s Island: Alfred Dreyfus and the affair that divided France (2010)

Arthur Koestler, The Scum of the Earth (1942) (memoirs)

Siân Reynolds, France Between the War: Gender and Politics (1996)

La Haine (1995), Dir. Mathieu Kassovitz;

The Battle of Algiers (1966), Dir. Gillo Pontecorvo

Related links