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MO3214   The Decline and Fall of the French Old Regime (1715-1789)

Academic year(s): 2019-2020

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: See http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/infoug/ugtimetable

Eighteenth-century France was the cultural leader of Europe, but mounting domestic difficulties made its efforts to remain the arbiter of power on the continent increasingly difficult to sustain. At home the absolute monarchy had great difficulty in adjusting to changing political, social and cultural expectations that would eventually engulf the Bourbon state as its international adventures produced financial bankruptcy. This module will explore France in the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI in order to understand the nature of old regime state and society, and the difficulties under which its people and rulers laboured. It will also give students the opportunity to engage with one of the most controversial subjects in European history: the origins of the French Revolution.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass at least 60 credits from {MO1007, MO1008, MO2008, HI2001, MH2002}

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 1 x 2-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 280

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 3-hour Written Examination = 60%, Coursework = 40%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 60%
Practical examinations : 13%
Coursework: 27%

Re-assessment: 4,000-word essay = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Professor G R Rowlands
Module teaching staff: Prof G Rowlands
Module coordinator email gr30@st-andrews.ac.uk