HIST 276: France Since 1871 (Fall, 2007)

Syllabus

Professor:

John Merriman, Charles Seymour Professor of History, Yale University

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.

Films:

"Au Revoir les Enfants"

"La Haine"

"Paths of Glory"

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.