HIST 2087 - Revolutionary and Napoleonic France, 1789-1815

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

The era of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire not only transformed the society, culture and government of France but critically influenced the formation of the modern world. Few historical episodes have been so widely studied or so vehemently debated. In fact, this scholarship has significantly advanced the discipline of History itself, by producing innovative historical approaches and many of our best historians. What were the origins and outcomes of the Revolution? What was it like to experience the birth of the Republic, to fight in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, to live under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte? Was Napoleon a tyrant or a saviour? In this course, students will have the opportunity to examine and explore the various aspects of these years from human rights to war, from art to terror. Through independent research and small-group discovery they will analyse the main historiographical themes and debates, formulate their own historical arguments and, overall, discover this story of revolution and empire. The course is concentrated on the years from 1789 (when the Estates General convened at Versailles, the Tennis Court Oath was signed and the Bastille was stormed) to 1815 when Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and relinquished the throne. It focuses mainly on the social, cultural and intellectual developments in these years, looking at questions concerning the Church, gender and the `equalisation' of the French people, but it is naturally rooted in the political and military history of the period as well. Further, while our studies will mainly be focused on events and circumstances within France, they will often extend beyond the Republic's borders to places of war, `civilisation', colonisation and slavery - that is, to places such as Egypt, Haiti and the Pacific.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code HIST 2087
    Course Revolutionary and Napoleonic France, 1789-1815
    Coordinating Unit Historical and Classical Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact 3 hours per week
    Prerequisites 12 units of level I study
    Course Description The era of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire not only transformed the society, culture and government of France but critically influenced the formation of the modern world. Few historical episodes have been so widely studied or so vehemently debated. In fact, this scholarship has significantly advanced the discipline of History itself, by producing innovative historical approaches and many of our best historians.
    What were the origins and outcomes of the Revolution? What was it like to experience the birth of the Republic, to fight in the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, to live under the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte? Was Napoleon a tyrant or a saviour? In this course, students will have the opportunity to examine and explore the various aspects of these years from human rights to war, from art to terror. Through independent research and small-group discovery they will analyse the main historiographical themes and debates, formulate their own historical arguments and, overall, discover this story of revolution and empire.
    The course is concentrated on the years from 1789 (when the Estates General convened at Versailles, the Tennis Court Oath was signed and the Bastille was stormed) to 1815 when Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and relinquished the throne. It focuses mainly on the social, cultural and intellectual developments in these years, looking at questions concerning the Church, gender and the `equalisation' of the French people, but it is naturally rooted in the political and military history of the period as well. Further, while our studies will mainly be focused on events and circumstances within France, they will often extend beyond the Republic's borders to places of war, `civilisation', colonisation and slavery - that is, to places such as Egypt, Haiti and the Pacific.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Nicole Starbuck

    Napier, room 305
    8313 5605
    nicole.starbuck@adelaide.edu.au

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    This course will consist of one 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week.
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate:
    1 an understanding of a broad body of historical knowledge of, and change and continuity during, the Revolutionary and Napoleonic era in France, Oceania and the French empire
    2 a critical understanding of the competing narratives, conceptual approaches and methodologies in the history of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France
    3 an ability to communicate effectively within the discipline of history and to contribute productively to group-based outcomes
    4 a capacity to contextualise, synthesise and critically evaluate historical sources in tutorial discussions and written work.
    5 an ability to evaluate and generate ideas and to construct evidence-based arguments in relation to the questions raised in this course
    6 a proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies relevant to historical research
    7 an ability to develop a critical and self-reflective approach to the study of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France, as well as an ongoing intellectual curiosity
    8 a capacity to examine the historical issues raised in this course according to the scholarly and ethical conventions of the discipline of history
    9 an awareness of the ethical, social and cultural implications of the historical enquiry of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France within a global context
     


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 2
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 4, 5
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 5
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 4
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 6
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 7
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Course Reader, comprising the essential weekly readings. These will include secondary sources which address key historiographical questions as well as a range of primary source texts and images.
    Recommended Resources
    Students are encouraged to purchase the following text to support their learning. It provides concise summaries of the key aspects of the revolutionary and Napoleonic era, a number of primary source extracts and images, a chronology of the period, and suggestions for further reading.
    J. Popkin, A Short History of the French Revolution, 5th edn. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson, 2010.

    Key works of scholarship will be listed in the course guide and highlighted in lectures and tutorials.

    The following database is strongly recommended as a comprehensive collection of primary source documents and images:
    Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: Exploring the French Revolution http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/
    Online Learning
    Essential resources for this course will be provided through MyUni. These include: a course guide; digitized readings, reading lists and web-links; essay-writing and referencing guides; as well as lecture recordings and powerpoint slides. MyUni will also serve as a source of vital information, such as a tutorial and lecture programme and regular announcements. Student will submit written assignments to Turnitin and for marking via MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures:

    There will be one two-hour lecture each week, which will provide students with the broad historiographical and factual background to each aspect of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France addressed in the course. Students will acquire a context for understanding their tutorial readings and a guide to the key analytical questions to be kept in mind during tutorial discussions. Lectures will include group learning activities, such as quizzes, as well as multimedia presentations, including film clips and images representing visual culture.

    Tutorials:

    Students will attend one tutorial per week. Tutorials will involve student-centred learning based on small-group discovery and they will complement the lectures. Students will come to tutorials having attended the lecture and read set secondary and primary source readings. They will consolidate their understanding of that material and explore the key issues they address through various problem-solving activities.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Lectures: 24 hours per semester
    Tutorials: 12 hours per semester
    Preparation for tutorials: 12 hours per semester
    General reading: 28 hours per semester
    Researching and writing assessments: 80 hours per semester
    Total: 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary

    It is anticipated that this course will cover the following areas of knowledge concerning Revolutionary and Napoleonic France:

    - Eighteenth-Century France & the Origins of the French Revolution
    - Phases of the Revolution: 1789; the Constitutional Monarchy; the Convention and the Reign of 
    Terror; the Directory; the Consulate.
    - The Church in Revolution.
    - The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
    - Foreign Views of the Revolution
    - The Culture of Revolutionary Politics.
    - The limits of liberty & equality: gender and race
    - Science & Society in Revolution
    - The outcomes of the Revolution
    - Interpreting the French Revolution
    - France under Napoleon

    A lecture and tutorial programme will be provided to students at the beginning of the semester.

    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Tutorials in this course will be centred on small group discovery. Students will come to tutorials with knowledge gained from lecture and reading material. The tutorials themselves will provide students with opportunities to extend that knowledge and deepen their understanding of related historical issues by taking them through a variety of activities that encourage them to question, explain and explore historical sources in collaboration with their peers and tutor. They will apply independent inquiry and teamwork skills to make historical discoveries.
    Lectures will also provide such opportunities on a smaller scale. Interactive windows, involving activities such as quizzes and visual source analysis, will encourage active learning (which involves intellectual discovery) through small group collaboration.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment: Tutorial participation, source analysis (including presentation), research essay, exam.
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Participation in tutorials is compulsory and you must attend at least 80% of them if you expect to pass the course.

    If you cannot attend your tutorial, please let your tutor know in advance – it might be possible for you to attend another class that week. If you miss a tutorial you will be expected to catch up on the reading and any announcements.

    Similarly, in order to fulfil the course learning outcomes you will need to complete each of the assessment tasks and attend lectures as well.
    Assessment Detail
    Tutorial attendance & participation
    Rationale: Tutorials play a vital role in helping students to consolidate the information and ideas discovered during interactive lectures and in readings. In tutorials they will be encouraged to discuss and debate key ideas relating to Revolutionary and Napoleonic France. Their participation is therefore assessed.
    Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9.

    Source analysis and presentation
    Rationale: A central element of historical study and writing is the analysis of primary and secondary sources. This assignment helps students to develop their skills in analysing primary sources in particular. The analysis is first to be presented to the tutorial group and then to be submitted as a short paper, encouraging students to develop their oral presentation skills and their ability to write succinctly. Students will be required to choose a source for analysis that relates to the topic of their research essay. With this assignment students therefore begin their research and the formulation of their ideas for the subsequent essay. They will also receive feedback, verbally from peers and in writing from their tutor, that may be applied in the further research and the writing of their essay.
    Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7.

    Research Essay
    Rationale: The research essay is the major assignment in this course. It presents a demonstration of the knowledge, research, analysis, writing and referencing skills developed by the student over the course of the semester. The essay will be based on a topic of the student’s choice, however, it will be expected to draw on other pertinent issues raised during lectures and in tutorial readings.
    Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7.

    Exam
    Rationale: The source analysis and the research essay will be based on the same topic, chosen by the student. The exam therefore provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge of other facts and key ideas covered in the course, as well as their understanding of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France overall.
    Learning outcomes: 1, 2, 7, 8, 9.

    Submission
    Assignments will be submitted online through MyUni. This is a two-step process. The assignment first needs to be electronically submitted for marking through the course folder in MyUni by following the instructions to upload a Word Document. It then needs to be submitted separately to Turnitin, which is also done through the MyUni site.

    Late Submission and Extensions:

    For assignments weighted above 20% (and unless the student can provide a Disability  Access Plan), short extensions of one to two days will be granted only on grounds of hardship or illness, but students will need to apply to the tutor in writing (with medical certificate or other evidence) and in advance of the due date. Students wishing to apply for a longer extension need to submit the relevant form to the school office: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html, at least 5 days prior to the due date for the assignment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

    All assignments are submitted electronically. Further details on how to do this, along with information on extensions, penalties for late submission etc., will be given to you at the outset of the course.
  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

    The School of History and Politics is committed to upholding the  University's Policy on Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S). All  staff and students have a legal responsibility to act in the interests  of themselves and others with respect to OH&S. For information on the School's contingency plan and emergency procedures, please see the OH&S section on the school website:

    http://www.hss.adelaide.edu.au/historypolitics/ohs
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.