Laicité: Religious Freedom or State Repression? - LAN00065I
Module summary
A concept deeply rooted in French history and one of the key principles underpinning French society, la laïcité has shaped French institutions and minds over centuries. Originally proposed as a way to mitigate the tensions caused by the power struggle between the State and the Catholic church at the turn of the 20th century, it has since infiltrated many societal debates and controversies.
The module will explore the complexity of the concept of laïcité from cultural, historical, and political perspectives. Whilst gaining in-depth knowledge, students will learn to distinguish between facts and opinions and adopt different viewpoints when assessing related debates.
Related modules
Pre-requisite module
Understanding French-speaking Cultures and Societies or equivalent level of French.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2025-26 |
Module aims
The module will:
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Explain how the principle was born and how it evolved within the French republican tradition
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Examine the legislative framework and its practical implications
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Discuss how the concept can be interpreted differently, e.g nouvelle laïcité, laïcité positive
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Examine the many controversies surrounding its application in contemporary France, e.g. discriminations towards the muslim communities
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Consider why it is often misunderstood outside France and confused with secularism
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Analyse the link between laïcité and other societal issues, e,g, immigration, Islam, women’s rights
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Compare the “laïcité à la française” with other secular systems outside France
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to :
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Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key facts related to laïcité
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Critically evaluate its interpretations and practical applications
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Compare and contrast different cultural perspectives
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Interpret and analyse primary and secondary sources
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Demonstrate independent study skills and pursue personal research on the topics discussed
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Formulate and justify arguments related to the subject matter
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Communicate in both spoken and written French with increased confidence and accuracy
Module content
The topics covered might include:
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L’émergence du concept de laïcité
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Laïcité et sécularisation de la société française
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La IIIe République et la loi de 1905
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La laïcité dans l’empire colonial français
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Nouvelle laïcité et controverses autour du voile
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Laïcité et Islam
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Laïcité identitaire et extrême droite
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Laïcités dans le monde
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Formative assessment and feedback
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Formative tasks done individually or in groups throughout the module
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Feedback will include written comments and oral feedback during class discussions.
Summative assessment and feedback
Students will be given written feedback and marks for their work within the University mandated schedule.
Indicative reading
Baubérot, J. (2014) La laïcité falsifiée. Paris: La Découverte.
Baubérot, J. (2015) Les sept laïcités françaises: le modèle français de laïcité n’existe pas. Paris: Maison des sciences de l’homme.
Baubérot, J. (2020) Les laïcités dans le monde. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France / Humensis.
Cadène, N. (2016) 50 notions clés sur la laïcité pour les nuls. Paris: First.
Khan, P. (2005) La laïcité. Idées recues. Paris: La Découverte
Kintzler, C. (2014) Penser la laïcité. Paris: Minerve
La Morena, F. (2019) Laïcité: une question de frontière(s). Paris: Lexis Nexis
Oubrou, T. (2021) Quelle place pour l’islam dans la république. Paris: First.
Raynaud, P. (2019) La laïcité: histoire d’une singularité française. Paris: Gallimard
Régis, D. et Leschi, D. (2016) La laïcité au quotidien: guide pratique. Paris: Gallimard
Zuber, V. (2017) La laïcité en France et dans le monde. Paris: La Documentation française