France & the Second World War: memory, trauma & identity

Aims

Aims

This module will discuss the evolving representations of the Second World War in French collective memory. It will use a wide variety of primary and secondary materials including newspaper articles, speeches, documentaries, films, short stories, diaries, eye-witness accounts and photographs to analyse the impact of the French experience of the war on the construction of national identity.

Satisfactory completion of the course should enable students to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the topics discussed
• Demonstrate an ability to undertake personal research
• Discuss sources in French from a critical perspective and develop arguments effectively
• Develop increased confidence and advanced accuracy in the production of French

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

Students must have successfully completed:

• F03I French Language & Society II

Programme

Programme

Contact hours

Two hours per week.

Teaching programme

The module will be taught in French.

A range of key issues will be discussed in the class, including:

• the construction and collapse of the ‘Resistance’ myth,
• the extent, nature and legacy of collaboration,
• the crimes against humanity trials of the 80’s and 90’s (Barbie, Papon etc.),
• the difficult post-war process of acknowledging and dealing with French involvement in the Holocaust and,
• the continuing relevance of the war years to contemporary French politics and society.

Students will be expected to reflect on and analyse a wide range of authentic materials dating from the immediate post-war period to the present-day.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on formative work

Formative essay and seminar presentations throughout.

Summative assessment and feedback

• Coursework 
  • Due: Spring Term, Week 10
  • Weight: 40%
• Written assignment
  • Length: 3000 words
  • Due: Summer Term
  • Weight: 60%