Aims & Learning Objectives:
Aims: To study the political scandals that are one of the most enduring and prominent feature of French politics. We will focus on three specific issues (1) the conditions under which scandals occur, (2) how scandals unfold, (3) the effects of scandals on the political system and their role in changing societal values.
Learning objectives: on successful completion of this unit students should be able to :
* critically evaluate the impact of political scandals on French politics and society;
* locate and use confidently primary and secondary sources in French;
* discuss topical, social and political issues in French
Content:
After a series of introductory lectures relating to the specific nature of scandals in France and the role that judges, the media and intellectuals play in political scandals in France, the seminars themselves will focus on case studies ranging from the Dreyfus affair (1894-1906), the "affair" of the Rainbow Warrior, and the Blood transfusion scandal of the 1990's, to the most current scandals unfolding in France. Taught in French.
Key text: R. Elgie (ed.), The Changing French Political System, London, Frank Cass, 2000.
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