Module manager: Prof. Nina Wardleworth
Email: n.a.wardleworth@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Satisfactory completion of Level 1 French or equivalent (French language skills equivalent to B1 of the CEFR)
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module provides a broad introduction to France’s political, social and economic development since 1945. It examines the structures and forces that have shaped modern French society, which transformed the country from a largely traditional and still predominantly rural economy into a leading consumer society with considerable wealth inequality and social segregation. Attention is given both to established political structures and parties, and social movements such as antiracism and feminism. The module examines social and political change from a broad range of perspectives informed by gender, race, ethnicity, social class, religion, sexuality and space. We will be reading and discussing primary sources in French, while we analyse them in English in the written assessment. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module
1. To promote an understanding of the underlying structures and forces which shape modern French society by providing a broad introduction to France's political, economic and social evolution since 1945.
2. To examine vital aspects of the social and political life of contemporary France, covering such topics as the Fifth Republic, political parties, modernisation, social movements and immigration, paying attention to the variety of perspectives that exist on these topics within French society.
3. To examine the relationship between established political structures and social movements in society, looking at how these different forces have influenced change and renewal.
4. To foster an interdisciplinary approach to the study of modern France by developing a capacity to manipulate primary and secondary material covering a range of disciplines and approaches (political, social, economic, cultural).
5. To develop analytical skills through the study of primary documents in the target language (political speeches, reports, newspaper articles, manifestos, testimonies etc).
6. To enhance fluency in French within a particular linguistic context by encouraging discussion and exchange of ideas within the target language.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
LO1. Analyse primary documents written in the target language (political speeches, reports, newspaper articles, manifestos, testimonies etc.)
LO2. Critically examine and discuss aspects of social and political life of contemporary France.
LO3. Understand and analyse the relationship between established political structures on the one hand, and social movements in society on the other, and how these different forces have influenced social and political change and renewal since 1945.
LO4. Interpret and discuss the varying perspectives on key social and political issues within French society.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
LO5. Connect differing critical perspectives to explore ideas and arrive at a sophisticated understanding of the social and historical topics being studied.
LO6. Present a structured and nuanced argument incorporating analysis of French and English language secondary sources.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 2 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Private study hours | 169.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will receive written feedback on both a practice commentary and an essay outline (with summary bibliography). One hour of seminar time will be devoted to formative tasks for both the commentary and the essay, with short pre-recorded lectures available on Minerva that address both of these exercises and provide extra guidance. Feedback on the assessed commentary will also act as formative feedback for the essay.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Commentary | 40 |
| Coursework | Essay | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team