Class Schedule:

Wednesday, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

This course aims to analyze the different wars in which France was involved during the “dark 20th century”. From the “Tranchées” of World War I to the end of the Algerian war, through the disaster of June 1940 and the German occupation, we are going to study the most dramatic events of French contemporary history. Based on different types of documents (articles, speeches, diaries, paintings, literature, memoirs and several movies), the course will explore the political choices and behaviors of the population, the social and cultural fields (what war changes?) as well as questions of memories and representations, with a special focus on films.

This course has previously included visits of the Musée de la Libération de Paris and the Mémorial de la Shoah. Excursions for Spring 2026 will be confirmed at the beginning of the semester and are subject to availability.

History, Memory and Representations in 20th Century Wars in France