Module description
- This module examines French political history in modern France.
- It begins by locating the origins of Republican France within a broad historical framework, examining the legacy of 1789 and the nature of French nationalism.
- It explores in particular the struggle of French Republicanism to assert itself between 1870 and 1914 in the face of opposition from both Left and Right, and aims to provide an introduction to a number of key themes in modern French history and politics.
- It will assess the role of education, industrialisation, anti-semitism and anti-clericalism in shaping events.
- Special attention will be paid to the impact of the Paris Commune, the Dreyfus Affair, the First World War and the Depression on French politics and society.
Assessment details
One 3-hour written exam
Assessment (for study abroad semester 1 only students if taught in semester 1): The written examination is replaced with a 2000 word essay (100%)
Teaching pattern
One lecture and one seminar per week
Suggested reading list
There are no core texts for this module. However, it is essential that all students buy at least one study of the period as a whole, which can be consulted throughout the course. For those who have never studied French history:
- Alfred Cobban, A History of Modern France, Volume 3: 1871-1962 (London, 1965) provides a readable, but very basic introduction to the subject.
- Robert Gildea, The Third Republic from 1870 to 1914 (London, 1994) also offers a useful, but brief account of some of the major themes of the course.
- Theodore Zeldin, France 1848-1945, 2 volumes (Oxford, 1973/1977) offers a more lively overview.
These books will only provide background information for the course. There are, however, a number of general studies of the period which will prove useful as the course progresses.
Highly recommended is J. McMillan, Twentieth Century France, Politics and Society 1898-1991 (1992), which is clear and comprehensive.
Further suggested readings will be available on the online reading list.