Tell me what you're afraid of and I'll tell you who you are." The history of French culture of the 18th-20th centuries through monsters and monstrosities 3304-1DZXW-KHK-19
The classes will be devoted to the analysis of French culture of the 18th-20th centuries through the category of monstrosities and monsters. Representations of monsters (and monstrosities in general) through various cultural texts (mainly literature and art) will show how the attitude of the French towards what evokes fear has changed over the centuries, what caused these changes and what were the consequences of these changes. They will also allow us to understand how the perception of fear was influenced by particular historical events and their social consequences.
The following specific topics will be covered during the course:
1) Definition of fear as a cultural phenomenon
2) The definition of the category of monstrosities and the "classification of monsters" of French culture
3) A brief history of the perception and representation of fear from the Middle Ages to the 17th century
4) Fear, monsters and monstrosity in the 18th century (vampires, Encyclopedia, "new sensibility", Revolution)
5) Fear, monsters and monstrosity in the 19th century (romantic interpenetration of worlds, fantasy, symbolism and decadence, the age of change and revolution)
6) Fear, monsters and monstrosity in the 20th century (trauma of wars and "postcolonial independences".
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student has the following skills and knowledge:
K_W10:
- has a cross-sectional knowledge of the history of France of the eighteenth-twentieth centuries, be able to list the most important historical events of the period and identify their impact on the culture.
- Has a systematized knowledge of the most important historical, political, economic and cultural processes shaping France of the 18th-20th centuries.
K_U03 and K_U04:
- can read with understanding and analyze selected texts, historical documents, etc.
- is able to use a variety of sources and modalities to search, analyze and select information necessary for active participation in class.
K_K01, K_K02, K_K04:
- understands the influence of the sensibilities of the 18th-20th centuries on the formation of today's globalized world
- understands the mentality and sensibility of the French of the 18th-20th centuries.
Assessment criteria
To complete the course you should:
- be present (only two absences without consequences in the form of an additional presentation)
- be active (preparation for classes and class activities)
- do a final project
- pass a final test
Detailed conditions will be presented during the first class.
Bibliography
Chosen bibliography:
V. de Donder, Le chant de la sirène, Gallimard, 1992.
C. Lecouteux, Fées, sorcières et loups-garous, Imago, 1992.
B. Sadoul (dir.), Fées, sorcières ou diablesses. Anthologie, Librio, 2002.
J.-M. Sallmann, Les sorcières, fiancées de Satan, Gallimard, 1997.
G. Delpierre, La Peur et l’être, Privat, 1974.
J. Delumeau, La Peur en Occident (XIVe-XVIIIe siècles). Une cité assiégée, Fayard, 1978.
L. Lemire, Monstres et monstruosités, Perrin, 2017.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: