FFS 299 - Poetry, Sound and Music

Semester Offered: Spring
0.5 unit(s)

Many French-language songwriters have been described, or have described themselves, as literary artists. This intensive focuses on the overlap between French-language poetry, song traditions, and environmental sound art in the French-speaking world. How does poetry “sing,” and what does music “say?” What new relationships are being forged between poetry and environmental sound art in French-speaking contexts? Vocabulary and methods are introduced for discussing music, sound (including tone of voice) and interactions between acoustic, verbal and visual images. Bi-weekly blogs and workshop activities culminate in an analytical presentation that incorporates organized sound in the form of recordings by known artists, or a live performance involving music or rhythmic speech (for instance, in the case of rap, slam, or speech that imitates a French cabaret style). Alternatively, the student project can involve the creation of background music or sound effects for French-language lyrics or poetry. Students participate in choosing the regions and time periods studied. Kathleen Hart.

Prerequisite(s): FFS 212 or the equivalent.

One 2-hour period.

Course Format: INT