MO4912 French Absolutism: Richelieu to Louis XIV

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Full Year

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

60

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students in the Second Year of the Honours Programme.

Planned timetable

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof G R Rowlands

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Professor Guy Rowlands

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module studies the establishment of stability and the growth of the royal state in France during the period 1610-1715. It examines both the theory and the practice of absolute monarchy and the way such a system of governance related to the wider French society. From the late 1620s traditional mechanisms of government were gradually recast and replaced by more centralised methods of political, social and cultural control. However, the encroachment of the royal state upon civil society met with both popular and elite resistance that had to be either crushed or defused through compromise deals before stability could emerge under Louis XIV. Students will focus not only upon political and administrative history but also upon associated religious, social and cultural developments, such as the growth of the royal court, the influence of the counter-reformation, the emergence of educational and artistic academies, and changing attitudes towards personal and political conduct. French is not required.

Assessment pattern

2 x 3-hour Written Examinations = 60%, Coursework = 40%

Re-assessment

New Coursework: 1 x source exercise (2,500 words) and 1 x 5,000-word essay = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1 x 3-hour seminar, plus 1 office hour.

Scheduled learning hours

66

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

534

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.