2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

FREN2090 Politics and Society in France since 1945

20 creditsClass Size: 54

Module manager: Dr James House
Email: j.r.house@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Satisfactory completion of Level 1 French or equivalent

This module is mutually exclusive with

FREN2095

Politics and Society in France

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This course aims to promote an understanding of the underlying structures and forces which shape modern French society by providing a broad introduction to France's political, economic and social evolution since 1945. Semester I will survey the major characteristics of political and economic development, paying particular heed to political structures and parties and to the process of rapid modernisation and economic change which in 30 years transformed France from a traditional and still predominantly rural economy into a leading consumer society. Semester II will look at a small number of selected themes which reflect the changing social agenda, such as the women's movement, antiracism, regionalism and the regions.Pre-requisite: Completion of Level 1 French course or equivalent at the discretion of the Course DirectorFor further information please contact Rochelle Harris in the Department of French.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- promote an understanding of the underlying structures and forces which shape modern French society by providing a broad introduction to France's political, economic and social evolution since 1945.
- examine vital aspects of the social and political life of contemporary France, covering such topics as the Fifth Republic, political parties, modernisation, social movements and trade unions.
- examine the relationship between established political structures and movements in society, looking at how these different forces have influenced change and renewal.
- Foster an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Modern France by developing a capacity to manipulate primary and secondary material covering a range of disciplines (political, social, economic).
- develop analytical skills through the study of primary documents in the target language (political speeches, reports, newspaper articles, manifestos etc).
- enhance fluency in French within a particular linguistic context by encouraging discussion and exchange of ideas within the target language.

Syllabus

The course will be divided into two sections:

Semester I will survey the major characteristics of political and social development, paying particular heed to political structures and parties and to the process of rapid modernisation and economic change which in thirty years transformed France from a traditional and still predominantly rural economy into a leading consumer society.

Semester II will examine a number of key social movements and forces (trade unions, poujadisme, regionalism, the anti-racist movements, and the women's movement), looking at how these movements have shaped political and social change in contemporary France.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	20	1.00	20.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			170.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Preparation for each lecture and seminar
- Preparation for assessment.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

1 commentary in week 6

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 words (in English)	60.00
Essay	800 words commentary	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024 16:14:23

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