John Merriman, Charles Seymour Professor of History, Yale University
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.
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.
"Au Revoir les Enfants"
"La Haine"
"Paths of Glory"
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.
Grades will be determined by equally weighing the midterm, final and paper grades.