This course explores modern France and its place in the world. We begin with the French Revolution, one of the truly earth-shaking events in history, and then we follow French history through a series of monarchical, authoritarian, and democratic regimes. In the process, we will also trace the emergence, expansion and decline of a great colonial empire. Issues of focus include French cultural and intellectual life; empire as a way of life not only for colonists but also for those living in mainland France; religion; immigration; battles over “who is French”; and dramatic changes in French economy and society during the past two centuries.

This class covers France and its empire from the time of the French Revolution of 1789 until the present. At its heart it explores issues of inclusion, exclusion, minorities, citizenship, and what it means to rethink such issues in an ever-evolving multi-ethnic landscape. Throughout the course, we will see how, much like American history, France's past has always unfolded both on the mainland and on foreign soil and has long centered on the question of how to navigate unity and difference along lines of race, religion, gender, sexuality, and class. Pressing questions that we examine in this light include: How far can notions of equality and liberty stretch? Were these notions as conceived during the Enlightenment flawed from the beginning or could they be adapted to be truly inclusive? What does it mean to examine the history of a country that—again like our own—has long seen itself as a birthplace of democracy and has also been a major empire subjugating millions to uneven legal regimes both overseas and at home. How does that history look different when we view it from the perspective of marginalized groups—people of color, Muslims, Jews, women, immigrants, peasants—whose fate has always been in the crosshairs of national and international developments? Readings will be available via bCourses, except for a few books that should either be purchased or read electronically through the library. The final exam will be a take-home exam that you must complete over 3 or 4 days. Other assessments will be two papers and an in-class mid-term exam.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills