The second semester returns to questions of colonialism/decolonisation by examining the political role of France in the world from the late nineteenth century to the contemporary period. The module will show how France became involved in colonial conquest and how her African empire came to be considered as vital to France's identity as a great power.  It will examine the process of decolonisation and how the loss of empire affected France’s role in the world.  It will show how France has, in the post-colonial period, sought to maintain her great power status through active military interventions overseas, an ambivalent stance towards globalisation and an enduring attachment to Europe.

The focus then turns to how France has been transformed from a rural economy and society, largely trading with her colonial empire to a modern post-industrial one firmly integrated into the European Union, as well as the impact of such developments on the social structures of modern France.

The course will then examine the presidential constitutional framework of modern France, how this was established and evolved, and how it is translated into practice. The role of the major political parties within this political system will also be examined.

On completion of this module, students should have:

• Furthered knowledge and understanding of the major wars and conflicts that have shaped France from the Second World War to the contemporary era
• Analysed and understood a range of cultural responses to such events
• Demonstrated an understanding of the role of literary and cultural media in mediating and debating the impact of war and conflict on French national identity, above all in the form of the short story, essay, photography and film
• demonstrated a broad understanding of aspects of, and developments in the economy and politics of modern France since World War Two, including:
• the changing political role of France in the world from the late nineteenth century to the contemporary period
• aspects of  the transformation of France from a closed rural, agricultural economy and society to an open, post-industrial economy and society;
• the main institutions and actors of government in modern France and the evolution towards a system of semi-presidential government in France;
• developed transferable learning, research and organisational, communication and IT skills

Ten 50-minute lectures (in English). Independent reading and research.

·         Lectures will develop the student’s capacity to absorb information, including through note-taking.

·         Workshops will develop the capacity to deploy this information and to integrate it with new information to produce well-constructed arguments

·         Through the coursework essay students will practice and develop research skills and the capacity to deploy information in well-constructed arguments

·         Coursework essays will enable students to practise and develop written presentation and work processing skills

·         Coursework essays will enable students to develop and demonstrate their knowledge of aspects of post-war French history, culture, politics and economics

One 1,500 word essay will allow the student to demonstrate discipline-specific, general intellectual and transferable skills by presenting a coherent argument in a word-processed essay.

Please see Background Reading List for an indicative list.

Ambler, J. (1985), The French Socialist Experiment

Ardagh, J. (2000), France in the new century: portrait of a changing society

Cole, A., le Galès, P and Levy, J. (2008) Developments in French politics 4

Daley, A. (1996), The Mitterrand Era

Drake, H. (2011) Contemporary France

Evans, M  and  Godin, E. (2004) France1815-2003

Flockton, C. & Kofman, E. (1989), France

Flynn, G. ed. (1995), Remaking the Hexagon: The New France in the New Europe

Gildea, R. (2002), France since 1945

Guyomarch, A., Machin, H. and Hall, P. (2001), Developments in French Politics 2

Hanley, D.L., Kerr, A.P. and Waites, N. (1979), Contemporary France: politics and society since 1945                               

Hollifield, F. & Ross, G. (1991), Searching for the New France

Howarth, D. and Varouxakis, G. (2003),Contemporary France: An Introduction to French Politics and Society

Larkin, M. (1988), Francesince the Popular Front. Government and people 1936-1986

Maclean, M. and Szarka, J. eds (2008), France on the World Stage: Nation State Strategies in the Global era

Ménière, L. (1993), Bilan de la France 1981-1993 Milner, S and Parsons, N. (2003), Reinventing France: State and Society in the 21^st Century

M. Parodi, et al. (2000), La question sociale en France depuis 1945

Perry, S. (1997), Aspects of Contemporary France

Raymond, G. ed. (1999), Structures of Power in Modern France

Ross, G ed. (1987), The Mitterrand Experiment. Continuity and change in modern France