Fall 2007
HIS 353 • French Revolution and Napoleon
| Unique | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 40973 |
|
- |
|
Coffin |
Course Description
This is an upper division survey, and at least some background in European history is strongly recommended. The course covers some of the major themes of the Revolutionary period: Enlightenment ideas and their implications, social conflict in the city and countryside, the birth of "popular" politics, how the revolution divided France, and the Napoleonic wars. Why was the French revolution so much more protracted and violent than the American revolution? How did the revolution change France and her place in the world? How did it become the defining point of modern politics?
Grading Policy
In the past, course requirements have included two 4-page papers, one in-class exam, and one comprehensive final.
Texts
In the past, readings have included Robert Darnton, THE FORBIDDEN BEST SELLERS Keith Baker, READINGS IN WESTERN CIVILIZATION: THE OLD REGIME AND THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Jeremy Popkin, A SHORT HISTORY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION F. Kafker and J. Laux, THE FRENCH REVOLUTION: CONFLICTING INTERPRETATIONS Jean-Jacques Rousseau, THE SOCIAL CONTRACT R.R. Palmer, 12 WHO RULED: THE YEAR OF THE TERROR IN THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
