This course, taught in French, explores the lives, contexts, and artwork of a variety of French artists. Through readings, discussions, and analytical activities we will contemplate together larger questions of what constitutes a work of art, what it means to create art, and how identities and communities influence the creative process. Online resources will grant us access to artwork produced in France, while excursions to exhibitions and performances in the Colorado Springs and Denver area will help us encounter artistic productions more directly. The course will culminate in each student’s creation of a work of art accompanied by a written reflection on their piece and the creative process. (Creative Processes designation pending)

This course examines contemporary France through film, culture, television, and popular culture. We will focus on the new forms of identity emanating from France’s colonial heritage and the popular forms they take.

Study of an aspect of Francophone culture not represented in the regular curriculum. Areas of study may include the Caribbean, the Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa, or Quebec. Topics may include various aspects of these cultures such as their history and their political and economic structures, as well as their interaction with art, music, film, language and literature.

In this course we will explore Provence and the Côte d’Azur as sites of artistic community and creative energy. What is it about the climate, landscape, and cultures of Southern France that attracted artists like Van Gogh, Picasso, Cézanne, and Renoir? How do the region’s features influence the people making local crafts and cuisines today, blending old traditions with new technologies? Readings and classwork will prepare students for visits to museums, workshops, and historic sites in and around Nice. Those excursions will in turn inspire group discussions for a deeper understanding of the French Riviera.