OCEU 2230 - The Franco-German Relations in Times of War – A Coming of Age?

***UPDATED for 2025/26***

This course aims to give post-graduate students a political, economic and social overview of the current Franco-German relations, showing how they evolved after the Fall of the Berlin Wall and how they will possibly develop in the future. The Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the changing relations with the United States are among the crucial factors at play. Among other things, the course will explore how the end of the post WWII order is severely impacting the relation between the two countries as well as the EU in general. While at first the Franco-German relations were characterized by a common interest to reconcile, nowadays they are marked mainly by the need to reconcile interests.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• The course will provide an indispensable historical background in Franco-German relations
• Particular emphasis will be put on understanding the cultural and psychological differences between the two countries
• A key skill to acquire will be to put political speeches and EU Summit Conclusions in the correct political context
• Importance will be given to the ability to interpret current affairs through the lens of classics in the social sciences
• Reading the press will be a prerequisite for class discussions on current affairs

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

A firm grasp of Franco-German relations, their twists and turns, is a key skill for anyone wanting to pursue a career in public affairs, journalism, finance or management in Europe and overseas as both countries are crucial to understand current European affairs.

Students will receive a first preliminary feedback following their oral presentation. Final grades will be provided at the end of the course

One or two students will be scheduled to give a 20-minute oral presentation of the recommended reading or viewing at the start of each session. The required reading should be used as a way to broaden the perspective. Presentations will include slides to be distributed to the class. By May 1st, 2026 at 23h59, students will have to hand in a 2,000-word paper (double-spaced), based on a topic given out during the course. The presentation and the paper will contribute respectively to 25% and 65% of the overall mark, the rest (10%) will depend on class participation.

• In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Online learning activities: 1 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 3,5 hours a week / 42 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2,5 hours a week / 30 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 2,5 hours a week / 30 hours a semester