POLITICS IN THE FRENCH FIFTH REPUBLICYear 1, Semester 1 (FREN111) This module studies the political fabric of contemporary France, concentrating on the period since 1958. It aims to introduce students to the political institutions and systems of contemporary France, and to provide them with a global understanding of the major issues of political interest in France today. Aspects covered include the 1958 constitution (set in the context of previous constitutions), the presidency, parliament, government, political ideologies and parties, elections and electoral behaviour. No prior knowledge of French politics is assumed. The recommended text is: Robert Gildea, France since 1945 (OUP, 1998). In-house handouts and worksheets also accompany the module, and are designed to facilitate independent work and to provide pointers for further study. Teaching takes place by weekly lecture (Tuesdays, 10a.m., French, Room 209), beginning on 24 September 2002. In addition, tutorial groups meet on Tuesdays (3p.m. or 4p.m.) three times during the semester. Tutorials focus on the skills of textual commentary, which is the form of assessment used for the module (for an online version of the textual commentary guidelines, click here). The module is assessed by means of coursework (50%), due for submission by 13 December 2002 at the latest, and a written examination (50%), to be held in January 2003. On each occasion, students are required to write one textual commentary in English. Online learning resources There are lots of web sites which provide information and documents related to the domain of politics in modern and contemporary France. Here are just a few ideas to get you going…By way of finding your feet in web resource usage, start with the web sites produced by France’s main institutions and political parties. These will give you plenty of factual and descriptive material to enable you to understand who’s who in France, what role the different holders of political power play, and what the political parties say on issues of interest. Just remember that these sites may not be entirely objective in their appreciation of aims and achievements! To begin, click on the highlighted text to access an online version of the current French Constitution. This is the text which explains how France works in governmental terms. The first office mentioned in the Constitution is that of the President. You can consult the presidential web site for further details on this office: here you can find out what’s on the presidential agenda, you can read important speeches and take a virtual tour of the President’s official residence, the Elysée palace. The other principal office of power in France is that of the Prime Minister. This web site is described as ‘le portail du gouvernement’ and is much more detailed in its presentation of policy issues. Compare the two sites. Why do you think these differences exist? Have a look also at the site for France’s Parliament, the Assemblée nationale, where you can find out what Parliament is currently debating, what legislation has recently been passed, and take another virtual tour. Look at the views of the Cour d’honneur and the main chamber. What differences can you identify with the Houses of Parliament in London? Every political party in France has its web site, from the Parti socialiste to the Parti communiste français (‘left’ parties) to the UDF and RPR (‘centre’ and ‘right’ parties), to the far right Front national (these are just a few of the numerous parties in France). Choose an issue (education, immigration, social services…) and see what each party has to say. Are they saying different things? Finally, France has had her share of strong political personalities. Principal figures of Fifth Republic politics include her five presidents to date Charles de Gaulle, Georges Pompidou, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac. Another character of note is the infamous leader of the Front national, Jean-Marie Le Pen, who stood against Jacques Chirac in the second round of the May 2002 Presidential election.
Editor:
Kay
Chadwick |