Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
EU10006: French politics & society 1B: Introduction à la politique et à la société françaises 2 |
Credits: | 3 |
Level: | Certificate |
Period: | Semester 2 |
Assessment: | ES 100% |
Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
Requisites: | |
Description: | Aims: The aim of this unit is to introduce students to the study of French politics and society via a chronological survey of the period from 1945 to the present. Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit students should: * understand some contemporary French history essential to understanding key aspects of French politics and society; * have consolidated essential reading, listening, and note-taking skills in French; * be able to understand basic political concepts and write about them; * be able to mobilize knowledge gained from lectures and readings. Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, effective communication in the target language and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit. Content: This unit will introduce students to a study of France since the Second World War. Certain issues and problems will be highlighted within a basic chronological structure covering the following: the Post-War period; post-war expansion, decolonisation, the coming of the Fifth Republic, May 1968; changes in French society; Recent developments in French politics and society up to and including the Chirac presidency; the Fifth Republic and political parties. The unit is taught in French. Key texts: Antoine Prost, Petite histoire de la France au 20e siècle, Arnand Colin, 2000; Martin Evans & Emmanuel Godin, France 1815-2003, Arnold, 2004; Jean François Sirinelli et al, La France de 1914 à nos jours, Presses Universitaires de France, 1993; James McMillan, Twentieth Century France, Arnold, 1992 |