About this course: The French Revolution was one of the most important upheavals in world history. This course examines its origins, course and outcomes. This course is designed for you to work through successfully on your own. However you will not be alone on this journey. Use the resources included in the course and take part in the suggested learning activities to get the most out of your learning. To successfully complete this course, it is recommended that you devote at least six hours to every module over the six weeks of the course. In that time you should watch the video lectures, reflect and respond to in-video pause points, and complete the quizzes. As part of the required reading for this course, during each week of this course you will have free access to a chapter of Peter McPhee's textbook, The French Revolution, which is also available for purchase as an e-book. View the MOOC promotional video here: http://tinyurl.com/gstw4vv

Created by: The University of Melbourne

Taught by: Peter McPhee, Honorary, Melbourne Graduate School of Education

Level	Beginner
Commitment	6 weeks of study, 4-6 hours/week
Language	English
How To Pass	Pass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings	4.8 stars Average User Rating 4.8See what learners said

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Week 1 - France in the 1780s

We begin this course with an introduction to the French Revolution. We will examine the social and institutional structures of the Old Regime. We will look at the main occupational groups and the roles of the First and Second estates (the clergy and nobility) ...

7 videos, 4 readings

Graded: Week one quiz - 12% of final grade

WEEK 2

Week 2 - The Revolution of 1789

This week we look at the Revolution of 1789 and its causes. We will explore the tensions and conflicts that led to the crisis of the Old Regime. The focus will be on the Third Estate and the revolt of the bourgeoisie, the 'menu peuple' and the peasantry. We wi...

6 videos, 1 reading

Graded: Week two quiz - 12% of final grade

WEEK 3

Week 3 - The Reconstruction of France, 1789-92

Week three of this MOOC deals with the reforms introduced in 1789-91. We look at the institutional and administrative reorganisation of France. We will then consider three critical turning points of the Revolution: the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, the Kin...

6 videos, 1 reading

Graded: Week three quiz - 12% of final grade

WEEK 4

Week 4 - The Republic in crisis 1792-93

Week four deals with the crisis of the Republic in 1792-93. We will examine the conflicts and disunity within the National Convention and consider the balance between revolutionary and counter-revolutionary forces by mid-1793. We will explore the civil war in ...

10 videos, 1 reading

Graded: Week four quiz - 12% of final grade

WEEK 5

Week 5 - Ending the Terror and Ending the Revolution

This week we look at the ideology and culture of the 'Terror' and the nature of the Jacobin and sans-culottes alliance. We will consider possible explanations for the increasing intensity of revolutionary violence and ask whether such violence was a proportion...

6 videos, 1 reading

Graded: Week five quiz - 12% of final grade

WEEK 6

Week 6 - Change and continuity: How revolutionary was the Revolution?

This final week of the course offers you the opportunity to reflect broadly on the significance of the Revolution. We begin by looking at Napoleon Bonaparte and the Restoration of the monarchy in 1814-15. We then consider the ways in which the revolutionary ex...

7 videos, 3 readings

Graded: Peer assessed writing assignment - 40% of final grade

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Coursework

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Creators

The University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne is an internationally recognised research intensive University with a strong tradition of excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement. Established in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest University.

Ratings and Reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 of 157 ratings

Engaging. It is clear that the professor has a passion for the subject which makes all the difference.

This is an excellent course. Professor McPhee's lecture style is very relaxed and engaging, and the visual aids - whether texts or works of art of the period - are great. Do not be put off by the 1000 word essay at the end, as by the time you have finished all of the lectures and readings, the topic will be clear in your mind.

Excellent course combining structured information, insight, and captivating presentation. Helpful reading material. Interesting visuals. Not being a native English speaker, I really appreciated Professor McPhee's clear and well articulated speach (for the very few words I couldn't grasp, the complete scripts provided a back up).

A very good course very pedagogic and summarizing so well this time of changes for the French history.

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