Course Description

Course Name

Living through the Presidential Elections

Session: VPRS1324

Hours & Credits

42 Contact Hours

Prerequisites & Language Level

Note: A placement exam will be required when you arrive on site.

Advanced

  • Prior to enrolling in courses at this language level, students must have completed or tested out of a minimum of four semesters (or six quarters) at the college level.

High Intermediate

  • Prior to enrolling in courses at this language level, students must have completed or tested out of a minimum of three semesters (or five quarters) at the college level.

High Advanced

  • Prior to enrolling in courses at this language level, students must have completed or tested out of a minimum of five semesters (or eight quarters) at the college level.

Overview

General objectives of the course:
On the occasion of the French presidential elections, this course offers to discover the electoral system, the role and
the presidential powers, the highlights of an election: the debate between two rounds, election night. All
the programs, slogans, posters of the candidates will be analyzed in class and discussed.

Teacher's pedagogical approach:
The course is based on historical data, the study of various documents (texts, images, television program)
and involvement of the student also outside of class time, comments on various images and
A final work of personal research is to be made.

Summary bibliographical references:
Michel Winock, The presidential elections in France, 1958-2012, Perrin, 2016
Under the direction of Pierre Bréchon, The presidential elections in France, 40 years of political history, The studies
from French documentation, 2008
Presidential 1974 - 2017, televised debates between the two rounds.
Sitography: www.elysee.fr, www.viepublique.fr

Assessment:
Notes 1, 2: 2 classroom tests
Note 3: drafting of a file resulting from personal research.
Each note takes into account knowledge and expression in French.
Attendance at the 2 tests is compulsory to obtain the certificate.

Attendance, punctuality:
Maximum number of unjustified absences: two.
Beyond that, neither the Certificate of Attendance nor the Certificate of Results can be awarded.
 In case of absence or delay, notify the teacher and the secretariat. Present proof when returning
class.

PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE
Session Themes
1 The Republic, The Constitution, The Fifth Republic - The previous presidents.

2 French political symbols: places, Marianne, flag, motto, national anthem - Being
candidate - The right to vote: conditions

3 The different political parties (part 1): from the extreme left to the center-left - Names,
programs, a candidate, slogans and symbols.

4 The different political parties (part 2): from the center-right to the extreme right - Names,
programs, a candidate, slogans and symbols.

5 Campaign topics, campaign posters, leaflets

6 TEST 1
The political colors of France in 2022 (cities, departments, regions, DOMTOM)

7 The National Assembly and the Senate: a place, men, women, a code - The deputies,
the Palais-Bourbon hemicycle - Senators, the Luxembourg Palace

8 The 1st round - The debate between the two rounds

9 Analysis of the 1st round - Speech - postponement of votes - Polling institutes.

10 The 2nd round, election night

11 TEST 2
May 5 - Analysis of the results - The handover

12 May 12 - French and world press review

13 The presidential photo: history and symbols - The presidents builders

14 The first lady

*Course content subject to change