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Module details for 2023/24.

30 credits

FHEQ Level 6

Module Outline

The French Empire and its Aftermath is a special subject history module studied over the whole of the third year. In this module students tackle some of the core problems of history and historical research through a detailed examination of the impact and aftermath of French Empire since 1912 in both in France and the former colonies. Importantly, the module allows students to work with primary source documents every week which are supplemented by readings of specialised and detailed secondary literature. In particular, this course will explore the complexities of visual source material (paintings, posters, photographs, film) and how these different 'ways of seeing' can be used to understand colonialism and post-colonialism.  At this level, students will be expected to be proactive in learning situations; to choose problems and evaluate them; to present their ideas orally and in written form with a high level of skill and to demonstrate an ability to construct arguments and lead debates. 



This module will examine the global impact of the French Empire and its many complex aftermaths.  The starting point will be the annexation of Morocco in 1912 and how this annexation was justified in terms of the French 'civilising mission'.   Using a variety of primary sources (including diaries, posters, painting, photographs, films), the module will analyse the motivations (economic, racial, cultural, nationalist)  for empire as well as the impact of this expansion on French society and society (for example how notions of the exotic 'other' were used within modernist painting or to construct ideas around racial hierarchies) .  The module will also assess the impact of colonialism on the colonies themselves, analysing the various ways these societies reacted to the French 'civilising mission'.   In carefully calibrating this material, the module will also be rigorously grounded in theories of empires, addressing the general questions of how empires begin, how they rule and how they end as well as their many aftermaths. 

Geographically the module will focus upon particular case studies (Indochina, Morocco and Senegal) to examine how colonial rule played out on the ground.  It will contextualise  the French Empire within a global context, situating it in  relation to other empires as well as analysing the impact of World War One, World War Two, decolonisation and post-colonialism.  A key feature of the module will be an assessment in detail of the high point of the French Colonial Empire: the 1931 Colonial Exhibition in Paris.  In doing so the module will also explore the experience of black American artists and intellectuals (Josephine Baker, Miles Davis, Richard Wright) who were attracted to France because it was perceived as a less racist than the USA.  It will also analyse the perspectives of anti-colonial intellectuals such as Frantz Fanon, Albert Memmi, and Sembene Ousmane. As such the course will be inviting students to consider transnational and comparative perspectives in relation to race, class, gender and empire.      

Module learning outcomes

Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of a closely defined topic.

Situate, evaluate and analyse primary historical sources.

Relate the interpretation of primary sources to secondary interpretations.

Construct sophisticated written arguments that demonstrate intellectual maturity and integrity.

View timetable

Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Dr Christopher Warne

Assess convenor
/profiles/112524

Prof Martin Evans

Assess convenor, Convenor
/profiles/41540

Prof Vinita Damodaran

Assess convenor
/profiles/7389