Liberty, Equality, Terror? Revolutionary France and Liberalism's Rise and Fall



Overview

In 1789 a revolution broke out in France which was distinctly liberal in tone. This proved inspirational for many, at home and abroad, who looked to the country as the new source of progressive government. Yet within three years those hopes would be bitterly dashed as the streets of Paris ran with blood, and a new form of politics emerged in its wake, swiftly to be labelled the French terror. This would have consequences which would roll on and on, creating a rather different kind of ‘model’ government than its originators had intended - or even imagined.

This course will explore the extraordinary nature of that political journey, beginning with the origins of the revolution, both short and long term. We will proceed to examine the different phases of the revolution, looking at the people and political concepts which drove the transformation. Finally we will consider its wider implications.

Programme details

Courses starts: 20 Jan 2026

Week 1:  Introduction and Overview. Ancien Regime France: Key Themes & Issues

Week 2:  The Road to Revolution: France in Crisis; the role of Louis XVI; the calling of the Estates General

Week 3:  The Triumph of Liberalism?: A ‘National’ Assembly; the Declaration of the Rights of Man – and the ‘Great Fear’; the March to Versailles

Week 4:  Liberalism in Crisis: Reform Attempts – and Flaws; The Role of the Church; The King’s Flight; the Rise of the Clubs; the Creation of the Republic

Week 5:  The People's Revolution? The Growth of the ‘Paris Faction’; the Girondin trap; the Jacobin Takeover

Week 6:  Forced to be Free: Robespierre & the Establishment of the Jacobin Republic; the Growth of Terror

Week 7:  The Power of Image: Jacobin propaganda and the work and role of Jacques Louis David

Week 8:  Enemies of the People? Jacobin Division and Downfall; the Thermidorean Reaction

Week 9:  Return to Liberalism? the trials and tribulations of the Directory

Week 10: Concluding Thoughts: the French Revolutionary Legacy

Certification

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) Points

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. Please follow this link for more information on Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points

Digital Certificate of Completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Please note students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £300.00
Assessment and Accreditation fee £60.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Kate Watson

Kate Watson is a Senior Associate Tutor for OUDCE, and formerly an Associate Lecturer and Moderator for the Open University. Kate’s research interests are centred on the popular experience of revolutionary politics and ideology. 

 

 

Course aims

This course aims to explore the historical development and nature of the French Revolution and examine its implications

Course Objectives: 

  • To outline the historical development of the French Revolution
  • To explore the impact of that development on modern politics
  • To critically evaluate the evolving nature of the French Revolution through examination of primary and secondary materials.

Teaching methods

A range of teaching and learning methods will be used during this course. These will include powerpoint presentation, tutor-led discussion, class discussion, and small group exercises on document analysis. This analysis will be mainly focussed on primary and contemporary sources, and students will be encouraged to approach these sources not as simple illustrations but rather as 'lived' records of the topic and themes under discussion. Students will also be encouraged to follow up class discussions in their own time through further analysis of documents and topics under investigation, combined with the reading of a wide range of secondary follow-up texts

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to be able to:

  • Describe how French Revolution developed
  • Discuss the implications of that development for modern politics
  • Be familiar with the handling of primary source materials and their values and limitations

Assessment methods

The assessment instructions for this course will be set out in a course booklet provided to all students at the start of the programme. It will consist of a final summative assignment, based on a choice of essay questions. Your response should total no more than 1500 words due at the end of the course. The assessed work is marked pass or fail.

You will also be provided with the opportunity to carry out an initial formative assignment. The total word count for this is around 500 words and is due halfway through your course. This does not count towards your final outcome but preparing for it, and the feedback you are given, will help you prepare for your final summative assignment.

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation will submit coursework.

Application

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Students who do not register for assessment and credit during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support