Aims

By the end of this instruction, students should be able to :
- shed light on problems in contemporary society by recourse to history;
- evaluate the application of historical criticism to contemporary documentation, including here new forms it has assumed;
- put the historical dimension of present-day problems in perspective by switching approaches, using diversified sources.

Main themes

Depending on the number of students, groups will be formed to facilitate analysing a question from political, economic, social, juridical and cultural events. Teachers will assemble a reading portfolio on this theme.
Each co-teacher will participate in developing the reading portfolio based on his speciality and will present his approach to the question in dialogue with the other teaching team members.
As far as possible, groups should not exceed 25 - 30 students. The course is required for licence students in history and is open to DES students in political sciences.

Content and teaching methods

From the viewpoint of method, the teacher will see to putting sources and techniques of present-day history into perspective; dealing with a general theme in either a thematic or spatio-temporal light, depending on the subject chosen.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Evaluation : Based on a composition synthesizing the theme chosen by the student in accord with the instructor; the work should comprise 10 pages.
Teaching materials : Student notes.
So as to stimulate critical debate, the course will be led by at least three co-teachers, working together on one or several questions, seen from different angles.

Other credits in programs