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France & the Second World War: Memory, Trauma & Identity - LAN00053H

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This modules explores the evolving representations of the Second World War in French collective memory from the post-war period to the present.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23

Module 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. The issues for discussion might include:

  • the immediate post-war purges
  • 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.

Module learning outcomes

Satisfactory completion of the course should enable students to:

  • Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of some 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

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 60
Essay/coursework 40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 60
Essay/coursework 40

Module feedback

Formative

  • Oral commentary and dialogue within class on oral and written language work, given immediately both to individuals and to group.
  • Written comments and mark on university scale given to individual students for practice papers, with opportunity for individual consultation.

Summative

  • Written feedback to be provided within 20 working days.

Indicative reading

Key texts and reading materials will be provided by the lecturer.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.