Additional courses in humanities and social sciences - S2

Objective

The second semester is conceived as a reflective exploration of various historiographical controversies, all of which raise questions about the relationship between historians and their sources, and about how these sources are actually used to write history. Particular attention will be paid to the heated debates surrounding the motivations of soldiers during the First World War, notably the question of whether their actions were shaped by coercion or consent, as well as disagreements over the use of personal testimony as a historical source.

We will also examine the practical and methodological issues raised by the emergence of Holocaust denial in France from the 1970s onwards. The course aims to develop students’ ability to critically analyse scholarly work, identify its main research questions, and synthesise ongoing debates within the historical discipline. It will also introduce students to the diversity of approaches adopted by historians of the contemporary world, thereby fostering critical thinking and encouraging greater awareness of contemporary issues.