We analyze the interaction of an electromagnetic spike (one cycle) with a thin layer of ferroelectric medium with two equilibrium states. The model is the set of Maxwell equations coupled to the undamped Landau-Khalatnikov equation, where we do not assume slowly varying envelopes. From linear scattering theory, we show that low amplitude pulses can be completely reflected by the medium. Large amplitude pulses can switch the ferroelectric. Using numerical simulations and analysis, we study this switching for long and short pulses, estimate the switching times and provide useful information for experiments.