Compared to the other European countries, France is in a unique situation with regards to relations between Churches and the State; it can be summarized in one word: secularism. This situation can mainly be explained by a complex history tracing its roots in the 19th Century, from the French Revolution to the separation of Church and State in 1905. This course will study this history focusing on the main stages that took place over the course of the 20th century as well as in the contemporary European context.
Method of presentation:
Lectures and discussion, PowerPoint presentations
Required work and form of assessment:
Attendance and participation (10%); weekly assignments (25%); mid-term (25%); final exam (40%).
content:
Introduction: From “Ancien Régime” to “Concordat”
The shock of the Separation of Church and State (1894-1914)
Causes of the rupture, vote of the act (1905), enforcement of the act from 1906 to 1914
Inter-war years (1918-1939)
The end of the “internal exile”, “le Cartel des gauches”, time of “calming”
Vichy (1940-1944)
“Travail, Famille, Patrie” (“Work, Family, Country”), 1942-1944, Christian Resistance and Liberation
The question of education since 1945
The 4th Republic, the 5th Republic from 1958 to 1981, developments since 1981, teaching of religion in school
Secularization of French society since 1945
The decline in religious practice, Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism
The rise of Islam in France
France’s second religion, Islam and secularism
Conclusion: The place of religion in Europe: what is France’s peculiarity?
Required readings:
Cholvy, G. and Y.M. Hilaire. Histoire religieuse de la France 1880-1914, Privat, 2000.
---. Histoire religieuse de la France 1914-1945, Privat, 2000.
---. Histoire religieuse de la France 1945-1975, Privat, 2000.
---. Le fait religieux de la France de 1974 à 2004, Cerf, 2004.
Launay, M. L’Eglise et l’école en France, Desclées, 1988.
Mayeur, J.M. La séparation des Eglises et de l’Etat, Editions ouvrières, 1991.
---. La question laïque XIXe – XXe siècles, Fayard, 1997.
Portier, Ph. Eglise et politique en France au XXe siècle, Montchrestien, 1993.
Recommended readings:
Baubérot, J. Vers un nouveau pacte laïque, Seuil, 1990.
Cesari, J. Musulmans et républicains, les jeunes, l’islam et la France, Complexe, 1998.
Poulat, E. Notre laïcité publique, Berg, 2003.
Remond, R. Religion et société en Europe, Seuil, 1998.
Willaime, J.P. Europe et religions – Les enjeux du XXIe siècle, Fayard, 2004.
This course will also reference articles and documents based on current events.
Compared to the other European countries, France is in a unique situation with regards to relations between Churches and the State; it can be summarized in one word: secularism. This situation can mainly be explained by a complex history tracing its roots in the 19th Century, from the French Revolution to the separation of Church and State in 1905. This course will study this history focusing on the main stages that took place over the course of the 20th century as well as in the contemporary European context.
Lectures and discussion, PowerPoint presentations
Attendance and participation (10%); weekly assignments (25%); mid-term (25%); final exam (40%).
Introduction: From “Ancien Régime” to “Concordat”
Causes of the rupture, vote of the act (1905), enforcement of the act from 1906 to 1914
The end of the “internal exile”, “le Cartel des gauches”, time of “calming”
“Travail, Famille, Patrie” (“Work, Family, Country”), 1942-1944, Christian Resistance and Liberation
The 4th Republic, the 5th Republic from 1958 to 1981, developments since 1981, teaching of religion in school
The decline in religious practice, Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism
France’s second religion, Islam and secularism
Conclusion: The place of religion in Europe: what is France’s peculiarity?
Cholvy, G. and Y.M. Hilaire. Histoire religieuse de la France 1880-1914, Privat, 2000.
---. Histoire religieuse de la France 1914-1945, Privat, 2000.
---. Histoire religieuse de la France 1945-1975, Privat, 2000.
---. Le fait religieux de la France de 1974 à 2004, Cerf, 2004.
Launay, M. L’Eglise et l’école en France, Desclées, 1988.
Mayeur, J.M. La séparation des Eglises et de l’Etat, Editions ouvrières, 1991.
---. La question laïque XIXe – XXe siècles, Fayard, 1997.
Portier, Ph. Eglise et politique en France au XXe siècle, Montchrestien, 1993.
Baubérot, J. Vers un nouveau pacte laïque, Seuil, 1990.
Cesari, J. Musulmans et républicains, les jeunes, l’islam et la France, Complexe, 1998.
Poulat, E. Notre laïcité publique, Berg, 2003.
Remond, R. Religion et société en Europe, Seuil, 1998.
Willaime, J.P. Europe et religions – Les enjeux du XXIe siècle, Fayard, 2004.
This course will also reference articles and documents based on current events.