FRENCH 344 : Modern France: History and Culture

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An analysis of how France has been shaped by diverse historical and cultural legacies since the sixteenth century. Topics include the role of religion, the transformations of the State, the significance of revolution, and the role of war and colonial expansion in modern French history.

Course Overview

The idea of France as a “one and indivisible” promoted through the mythologies of the monarchy and the Republic has always been challenged by the reality of a France founded upon a series of perdurable divisions. Division – often duality - is already a French characteristic in the story of France’s foundation: think of the Romans conquering the Gauls and later the Franks conquering the Gallo-Romans. These same dualities continue to shape cultural identity to this day. From the notion of the friendly Mediterranean versus the reserved Parisian to the more objective linguistic differences between the Langue d’Oïl and the Langue d’Oc, modern French culture bears the traces of these original divisions. And of course a whole new set of divisions haunt the Republic today.
In this course we will trace some of the many ideologies and institutions, past and present, that have served to unify and divide France and the French, through the study of a series of topics, including the role of religion and religious conflict in French history, the rise and decline of absolute monarchy and court culture, the changing relations between the sexes, the impact of the “Age of Revolutions,” the emergence of “modern” urban and class relations, the traumatic experience of war in the twentieth century, and the present-day legacies of sexual and racial discrimination.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 30 points at Stage II Restriction: FRENCH 231, 244, 313

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Situate modern France within a broad understanding of national and international issues, as well as debates. (Capability 6.1 and 6.2)
  2. Demonstrate specific knowledge of the development of French culture and how it engages with local, national, and global concerns. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  3. Communicate interpretations of cultural and political issues about France in a persuasive manner. (Capability 4.1)
  4. Research issues pertaining to France effectively. (Capability 3.1 and 3.2)
  5. Analyse French Studies as a field connected to institutional, industrial, historical and cultural formations and practices. (Capability 1.1 and 1.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework 40% Individual Coursework
Tests 30% Individual Test
Essay 30% Individual Coursework

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 19/12/2019 12:20 p.m.