SYLLABUS EUR 304: Music and Culture in France Mark Jennings and Jeffrey Seppala May Interim, 2020

Home , Culture of France, Music of France

I. Course description and credit hours of the course

A study abroad course conducted in France focusing on the music and culture of France as well as our varied concert repertoire. Includes lectures, rehearsals, readings and class presentations prior to departure. Tour includes visits to historically important sites, art and music museums, and performances in acoustical spaces appropriate for the selected musical literature. Appropriate projects, discussions, and personal reflections will be completed prior to departure and during the tour. This course is designed to meet the Aesthetic: Visual and Performing Arts Mode of Inquiry and Intercultural Perspective of the LSP.

II. Prerequisites

Successful audition into Truman State University’s Cantoria or by special permission of the instructors.

III. Objectives a. To study and understand music of France, and to discover music’s unique role in the society of France. b. To become familiar with the aesthetic perspectives of people. French music has a rich history with significant contributions to western art music as well as modern styles. c. To understand and build tolerance for cultural differences. With France’s deep cultural history and its importance in Western thought over the past 500 years, and with its involvement in the geopolitical and cultural history of the past 100 years, we will examine the issues of war and migration to develop an understanding of cultural differences that have led to the assimilation of diverse culinary, musical, dramatic, and artistic elements into French culture. d. To provide opportunities to sing a variety of French music to connect our learning about French culture with music of the culture. e. To provide opportunities to perform music in acoustical spaces and an environment appropriate for the music. f. To observe and study the art, architecture, and landscape of the region and correlate it to the music studied. g. To provide opportunities to have musical and social interaction with French people. Opportunities may include working with faculty and students from a variety of conservatories, a joint concert with a local choir, or performing at a choral music competition. h. To inter-relate arts, to people and to culture.

IV. Assignments, Assessment of Work, and Expectations a. Attend all lectures, rehearsals, and performances prior to departure and during tour (includes any non-singing members); attend all guided tour events and group activities during the tour. b. Prepare all music to be performed on tour. c. Complete course readings, view instructional videos, and listen to appropriate sound recordings prior to tour. d. Reading/discussion group. Participate in a reading/discussion group of approximately 5 students. Students will be able to choose a group based on interest, including topic areas of poetry, drama, novels, or history, or some other topic area as approved by faculty members. Once a group is formed, the group members will either choose or be assigned their reading materials, depending on the group topic and interest of the students.

Groups will read selected materials and meet at least three times to discuss the work(s). At least one of the discussions will take place on-line. Groups will also prepare a class presentation on their findings/discussions. Evaluation will be based on the quality of the class presentation and the on-line discussion.

Topics might include the following, though groups are encouraged to propose their own topics: French literature--choose a novel; read the novel; read some surrounding documentation about history/culture; and relate the readings

French history--several periods to choose from, “The Louis’”; Napoleon; the French Revolution; modern France; etc. France and Food--read a number of articles describing how French people relate to food and wine

French Art History--zoom in on some of the visual art of France and read about how this art relates to the culture e. Research Project. Develop and present research to the class on a topic related to French music or culture. Possible topics and examples include: Historical figures (ex. Marie Antoinette), Food (traditional or modern French cuisine), Visual Art (Monet with visit to Giverny), War (Normandy Beaches), history of a particular Chateau (Château de Villandry), or particular works of art within museums or other sights (Louvre, Musée D’Orsay, Orangerie, Notre Dame, Mont- Saint-Michel).

Less traditional presentations may include a culinary experience, learning and performing folk dance or folk music, or preparing travel guides for a city or site we will visit. Most students will present the project in class prior to departure; if the project warrants, though, students are encouraged to request permission to give the presentation on-site.

Assessment of the research project will be based on the class presentation, provided handout, and a bibliography that demonstrates the depth of the research. f. Compile a daily academic journal. The purposes of the journal are: 1) to make observations about the cultures we visit, 2) to connect these observations with prior study, 3) to analyze the relationships between artistic creations and culture, and 4) to make a record of personal experiences. This academic journal, then, amplifies what might be found in a personal journal. (Note: you are also encouraged to keep a personal journal for this experience.)

The journal responses will include both freely written personal responses as well as responses to specific prompts from faculty members. Through both of these practices, the student will be encouraged to make connections between the current tour experience and the ongoing study of these cultures.

The journal will be evaluated at (approximately) four-day intervals during the tour for both entry length and quality; it will be submitted in full at the end of the tour. Assessment of the journal is based on the number of entries in the journal, the quality of the entries (i.e., how well the student uses specialized vocabulary in their analysis of structures and relationships); how well the student demonstrates connections between components and the whole; to what extent the student has successfully made connections between course materials and his or her own personal experience.

V. Course Content

See attached “Itinerary” and course materials

VI. Course Materials

Music: 10 – 15 musical works (provided). Languages sung: Latin, English, French, and other languages.

Print Materials: includes resources for group reading, individual research projects, and for assigned class readings.

Video Materials:

The essential history of France. BBC Education & Training; directed by Gerry Troyna; produced by John Triffitt. Princeton, NJ: Films for the Humanities & Sciences, 1997.

Out of France. Directed by Paul Wagner ; produced by Ellen Casey Wagner, Paul Wagner. Charlottesville, VA.: American Focus, c1994.