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.