Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - HIST 417W D100

Problems in Modern French History (4)

France Since 1900 in 13 Songs

Class Number: 3905

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    45 units including nine units of lower division history. Recommended: HIST 224 or 225.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of a principal aspect of, or period in, the history of French society since the Revolution. For example, attention may be given to the 19th century French revolutionary tradition, or to society and culture in the Third, Fourth and Fifth Republics, or to colonialism and decolonisation. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 417W may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

France Since 1900 in 13 Songs

Our subject/themes

Can a playlist be a history? What happens if we approach a national past by focusing on music as an expression of social, economic, cultural, and political forces and change? In this seminar, we will explore the history of twentieth and twenty-first century France by listening to, thinking with, and contextualizing 13 songs. Asking questions about how music can represent a historical moment/era in different ways, we will consider a range of musical genres and styles over more than a century: military and political anthems, French chanson, pop, rock, jazz, rap and hip hop, electronic/dance music, and more. The songs we will study together will help us to think about France as a space of communities and sounds; of complex gendered, classed, racialized, and sexual identities; of political ideologies and conflict; a colonial and postcolonial space; and a space that has contributed to, and been influenced by, global tensions and flows.


Skills we’ll be working on in this course

  • critical reading: understanding and responding to scholarly argument and interpretation
  • audiovisual/media/digital literacy: critical listening, and exploring a range of scholarly sources and tools across different media
  • research: formulating compelling research questions; locating and analyzing primary and secondary sources
  • writing: developing skills in different genres while working in stages including free writing, co-writing, peer response, and revision
  • oral communication +: engaging in group discussion and brief presentations

 

Grading

  • Seminar preparation & participation 20%
  • Seminar Log & Talking Points 20%
  • Write NOW assignments (completed in seminar) 60%

NOTES:

*Assignments and grading may change prior to the term

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All required course materials (books, articles, music, etc.) will be accessible in electronic form via the SFU Library or the Canvas course site.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.