France Since 1871

Course Number
HIST 276
About the Course

This course covers the emergence of modern France. Topics include the social, economic, and political transformation of France; the impact of France’s revolutionary heritage, of industrialization, and of the dislocation wrought by two world wars; and the political response of the Left and the Right to changing French society.

Course Structure

This Yale College course, taught on campus twice per week for 50 minutes, was recorded for Open Yale Courses in Fall 2007.

Course Materials
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Syllabus

Professor
Description

This course covers the emergence of modern France. Topics include the social, economic, and political transformation of France; the impact of France’s revolutionary heritage, of industrialization, and of the dislocation wrought by two world wars; and the political response of the Left and the Right to changing French society.

Texts

Barbusse, Henri. Under Fire. London: Penguin Books, 2004.

Bloch, Marc. Strange Defeat. New York: Norton, 1999.

Carles, Emilie. A Life of Her Own. New York: Penguin Books, 1992.

Farmer, Sarah. Martyred Village. Berkley: University of California Press, 2000.

Sowerwine, Charles. France since 1870: Culture, Politics and Society. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2001.

Zola, Emile. Germinal. London: Penguin Books, 2004.

Requirements

In addition to the lectures, there will be a weekly discussion section, time to be arranged. One of the sections will be taught in French. A short paper will be required, in consultation with the instructors. There will be a mid-term examination, and a final exam, which may be taken either as a written or oral examination, and three films will be shown.

Grading

Grades will be determined by equally weighing the midterm, final and paper grades.