Type of module:

Summary module description:
Topics involve the study of specific periods, subjects or types of History. This Topic aims to give students an understanding of religious life in France and its role in French politics and society after the Revolution.

Aims:
Topics involve the study of specific periods, subjects or types of History. This Topic aims to give students an understanding of religious life in France and its role in French politics and society after the Revolution.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to: * achieve a detailed command of the themes, events and era studied * locate and assemble information on the subject by independent research * organise material and articulate arguments effectively in writing * recognise and interpret a wide range of different primary materials * undertake detailed textural analysis and comment on the texts

Additional outcomes:
This module also aims to encourage the development of oral communication skills and the student's effectiveness in group situations. Students will also develop their IT skills by use of relevant web resources.

Outline content:
This unit seeks to investigate the nature of religious life and observance in France during the nineteenth century. It will provide students with direct experience of the historian's task through a close evaluation and examination of primary materials, all of which will be in English translation. Students will be expected to refine their research and writing skills through essays and their oral skills through the presentation of seminars. This unit is primarily concerned with the role of Catholicism in French politics and society after the turbulence of the Revolution of 1789. It focuses on three key areas. First, it examines the relationship between Church and state, and the political role of Catholicism. Second, it analyses the level and nature of religious belief, peasant superstitions and magical practices, Catholic intellectual life and the process of `dechristianization'. Particular attention will be paid to the position of women within Catholicism. Were women more religious than men? Third, the unit scrutinizes the institutions of the French Catholic Church, including the episcopate, the regular and secular clergy, the female congregations, Catholic schools and industrial associations, and the relationship between Paris and Rome. In so doing, the unit evaluates the success of the Church in responding to the challenges of the nineteenth century.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Seminars for which students must carry out full preparatory reading and research. Seminars rely on structured group discussion and may also include: seminar papers by students; discussion of evidence; team-based exercises and debates; study visit to a relevant location. Students are expected to carry out self-directed revision in the Summer term. Staff will be available for consultation as necessary.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Tutorials		10
Total hours by term		20
Total hours for module

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method

Percentage

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

Reassessment arrangements:

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 8 April 2019