Unit information: Shaping Contemporary France in 2012/13

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 Shaping Contemporary France
Unit code FREN10027
Credit points 20
Level of study C/4
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Professor. Hurcombe
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

School/department Department of French
Faculty Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The unit provides an overview of issues pertaining to the history, culture and identity of contemprorary France. The unit progresses chronologically, beginning with the French Revolution and associated politico-historical events and ideas, including the notion of the Republic; through major events which have impacted upon the nation (WW1, WW2, European integration); ending with current debates and social problems: immigration, integration and parity. The unit is thus organised around 3 thematic islands: 1) Citizenship/Nation/State, 2) France and Europe, 3) Inclusion/Exclusion.

Aims:

All students will follow the unit entitled Shaping Contemporary France in TB2. (For Law with French students it is an option.) The unit aims to provide students with an overview of issues pertaining to the history, culture and identity of contemporary France. It will give a better understanding of the nature of the French Republic, of its position in Europe and the contemporary world, and of current social issues. It involves a weekly lecture, and a weekly seminar some of which are conducted in French.

Assessment Information

2 essays (50%/ 50%)

Reading and References

There are no set texts next year, but we recommend that you buy your own copy of one or both of the following texts:

Labrune, Gérard and Toutain, Philippe, L'Histoire de France (Paris: Nathan) ISBN-10: 2091830984 /ISBN-13: 978-2091830988 Evans, Martin and Godin, Emmanuel, France 1815-2003 (Hodder Arnold, 2004) ISBN-10: 0340761415 /ISBN-13: 978-0340761410 These works will be of use not only for this unit, but for others offered later in the Department.