French 309/Art 309 : French Painting since 1789

D. A. Kress
Jackson 306E
Office Hours: MWF 3:30-4:30
                  TR 11-11:30

Texts: Corneille, Horace, (Original French version at the BN.) English version translated by Alan Brownjohn, Angel Books.
Chateaubriand, Atala

    Throughout the course there will be handouts which you will have to read in addition to the two works listed above.
    N.B. Much of the material will be consulted on the web.

In this course we will study French painting of the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. This period, during which French art has been recognized throughout the world for its accomplishments, has shaped our conceptions of modern art. We will focus on the movements that characterize the period: Neo-Classicism, Romanticism, Realism, and Impressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism. These movements will be studied in their historical context and special emphasis will be placed on the social, political, and economic conditions that gave birth to the creative endeavors of the period. The material presented in class will be supplemented with theoretical readings by French artists and critics. Class discussion and presentations will be conducted in French.

In this course you will be using your French to learn and assimilate material in an entirely new way. French will be the vehicle; an understanding of art history will be the goal. Studies have shown that students make more progress in such content-based courses than in traditional language classes because they are forced to conceptualize abstract material in the target language. Your progress will be assessed by means of quizzes, classroom participation, exams, and four written compositions. In each of these areas you will actively use your French to master the material at hand.

Policies

1. Make ups: No make-ups for an unexcused absence are given. In case of excused absences, I may choose not to give a make-up; instead I may choose not to count that quiz or examination.

2. You are expected to come to class prepared every day. Study the material specified on the syllabus or in class! There may be a quiz even though there is not a written assignment.

3. Every quiz and examination will stress oral comprehension. Keep in mind that all class work will be conducted orally in French and your attendance and participation will have a definite impact on your grade. The activities of listening to a language, speaking a language, and writing a language all demand active skills. This class will require your active participation.

A language course is different from other courses at the college because you work on oral communication skills. The only place you can work on these skills is in your French class. Other classes may not require your attendance because you can learn the material from the book; however, there is no substitute for the dynamic interaction that takes place between you and your teacher--a trained language acquisition specialist. For this reason this course has a strong policy on absences. Students who have 5 absences will have their final grade lowered one full letter. For additional absences there will be a penalty of 2 points per day before the letter grade is dropped.

4. Your grade in this class will be given as follows:

40% Tests
20% Final exam
40% Compositions
100%

*I am willing to give extra credit if you are willing to work for it. 1 point on the final grade for each French novel or play you read (in English translation, 2 points if you read it in French). If you are interested in this option, come see me before you choose a work. Not all works are acceptable for credit.
 

EMPLOI DU TEMPS:

I. Semaine du 8 au 12 janvier

II. Semaine du 15 au 19 janvier

III. Semaine du 22 au 26 janvier

IV. Semaine du 29 janvier au 2 février

V. Semaine du 5 au 9 février

VI. Semaine du 12 au 16 février

VII. Semaine du 19 au 23 février, Mardi Gras !

VIII. Semaine du 26 février au 2 mars

IX. Semaine du 5 au 9 mars

X. Semaine du 12 au 16 mars

XI. Semaine du 19 au 23 mars

XII. Semaine du 26 au 30 mars

XIII. Semaine du 2 au 4 avril

XIV. Semaine du 9 au 13 avril

XV. Semaine du 16 au 20 avril

XVI. Semaine du 23 au 26 avril

Jeudi le 26 avril : dernier jour de classes !