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The course explores representations of Provence across media, including myths and legends, songs and literature, film, television and radio. Students will be asked to maintain a journal and to develop their skills in discussing and writing about cultural traits across media. Goals include learning where the Provencal identity came from and how the portrayal of it has evolved over time, and gaining a greater knowledge of the many poets, writers, filmmakers and social scientists who have been drawn to the highly agreeable task of attempting to define Provence.
The course will use Lawrence Durrell's Caesar's Vast Ghost, London, Faber & Faber, as a guide (required). (Also published by Harper under the title Provence.) Students will read additional assigned texts (available downloads) and be exposed to one media production (film, TV or radio program) each week. Students will be required to identify two outside cultural events during the term and write about each of them. There will be a brief, final, in-class exit writing assignment.
Week One. Introduction. Provence in Ancient Times.
Week Two. The Transformation of Myth.
Week Three. The Middle Ages.
Week Four. The Renaissance and beyond.
Week Five. The Nineteenth Century.
Week Six. The Artists' Provence.
Week Seven. Marseilles old and new.
Week Eight. England discovers Provence.
Week Nine. The sociological approach.
Week Ten. Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono.
Week Eleven. The mature Pagnol and beyond.
Week Twelve. Picture Perfect:Provence and the coffee table book Week Thirteen. Provence as gateway to the Mediterranean.
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