The course aims to retrace some of the fundamental steps of French cultural history of the 19th and 20th Centuries through the chanson française, using the song as a historical source and as a cultural object to understand values, moods and trends of the various historical periods and the cultural phenomena that will be taken into consideration.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge about French history and culture in the mentioned period and its main protagonists, developing theoretical-critical skills on the proposed topics.

Students will be required to acquire the following knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of the main historical events of France in the 19th and 20th centuries;
• Knowledge of the socio-cultural and historical-political dynamics that impact the production of specific cultural phenomena and materials;
• Ability to understand texts and iconographic elements, audio and audiovisual materials examined, both in terms of content and in terms of their socio-cultural, literary and artistic implications;
• Autonomy of judgement: formulate analytical hypotheses; the student is able to formulate a personal evaluation and comment on the cultural specificities that emerged during the study undertaken.

The course will start from La Marseillaise and the various French anthems that have takes place in the 19th Century, trying to offer a historical-political framework in the various alternations of Republics, Monarchies and Empires. Through the chanson française of various authors, we will then review the main cultural phenomena in the different historical periods: La Belle Époque, the two World Wars and the Vichi government, les Trente glorieuses and 1968, contemporaneity.

Further information, materials and highlights will be announced on the Moodle-Blended platform during the course period.

Not required.

Knowledge and understanding

Knowledge and understanding of the French cultural panorama of the 19th and 20th Centuries, in its historical-political, cultural, social and artistic dynamics.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Knowledge of the main analysis tools of "authentic" materials, such as songs, photographs, advertisements and newspaper articles, but also of literary texts and films that mark the history of French culture.

Making judgments

Ability to apply the knowledge acquired and make connections

Ability to develop critical arguments and independent judgments

Learning skills

Ability to independently read texts and "authentic materials"

Ability to acquire bibliographic and critical skills in one's field of study

Communication skills

Ability to use the language of criticism

Ability to communicate the contents learned clearly and coherently to expert and non-expert interlocutors.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

The course includes:

• Frontal lessons
• Interactive activities and discussions
• Presentation of audiovisual material

Attendance

Attending students are required to acquire the critical bibliography that will be explored during the course and to carefully study what is published on the Moodle - Blended platform.

Course books

• J. Cantier, Histoire culturelle de la France au XXe siècle, Paris, Ellipses, 2020
• P. Albertini, La france du XIXe siècle (1815-1914), Vanves, Hachette Supérieur, 2014

• P. Garapon, Métamorphoses de La Chanson Française (1945-1999), “Esprit” (1940-), no. 254 (7), 1999, pp. 89–118. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24278782
• G. Sellier, Genre, Modernisme et Culture de Masse Dans La Nouvelle Vague, “Nouvelles Questions Féministes”, vol. 22, no. 1, 2003, pp. 97–111. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42900611
• C. D. Pessin, Chanson Sociale et Chanson Réaliste, “Cités”, no. 19, 2004, pp. 27–42. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40621104
• M. O. Padis and G. Brassens, Georges Brassens, Une Mémoire Chantée, “Esprit” (1940-), no. 254 (7), 1999, pp. 136–42. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24278785

Further teaching material will be published on the Moodle - Blended platform.

Assessment

Oral exam

The candidate will be judged according to the following evaluation grid:

-Answers in a way that is not entirely adequate to the questions asked and demonstrates some deficiencies in content, textual analysis and exposition in the language: 18-21

-Responds simply to the questions asked but does not demonstrate particular ability in creating the appropriate connections between literary currents, authors and texts. The exposure is not entirely satisfactory at: 22-24

-Answers the questions exhaustively, but does not demonstrate sufficient mastery and maturity in creating the appropriate connections between the literary currents, the authors and the texts. The exposition is clear: 25-27

-Answers questions in depth and demonstrates excellent mastery in creating the appropriate connections. The exposition is very clear and the speech well structured: 28-30

-Answers questions in depth, shows excellent mastery and critical sense in creating the appropriate connections. The presentation demonstrates notable ownership and fluency of language: 30 cum laude.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Self-study of texts and material published on Moodle - Blended.

Attendance

Non-attending students are required to get in touch with the teacher at least 30 days in advance of the exam date. Like their attending colleagues, they will also have to acquire the critical bibliography that will be explored during the course and carefully study what is published on the Moodle - Blended platform.

Course books

Same material as attending colleagues.

Assessment

Same methods as attending colleagues.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.