The French Revolution was a defining episode in modern European history. This course examines the revolutionary period from the Old Regime to the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. It assesses the origins, development, and significance of the French Revolution and investigates the nature of Napoleonic rule and its impact upon Europe.  Participants will be introduced to a range of primary sources, including petitions, political speeches, newspapers, and paintings, and will have the opportunity to explore in-depth such topics as church and state, individual rights, the Terror, and the revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. No knowledge of French is required for this course.

Through completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic regime
• Reflect critically on differing historiographical interpretations
• Evaluate the political, social and cultural legacies of the period for France, Europe and the wider world
• Continue to develop their research, analytical and writing skills

• 600 word source analysis (10%)
• Tutorial participation (10%)
• 2500 word essay (40%)
• Examination (40%)

Twenty-six one-hour lectures, thirteen one-hour tutorials. Lectures will be recorded and available online.

Any first year History courses (including EURO1004) to the value of twelve units, or with permission of the course convener.

Philip G. Dwyer and Peter McPhee (eds), The French Revolution and Napoleon: A Sourcebook (London and New York: Routledge, 2002).

Colin Jones, The Great Nation: France from Louis XV to Napoleon (New York: Columbia University Press, 2003).

William Doyle, The Origins of the French Revolution, Third edition (Oxford: OUP, 1999).