FFS 296 - La chanson engagée: Songs of Protest and Hope

0.5 unit(s)

This half-unit Intensive meets every two weeks to explore the word-play, musical traditions, and cultural history of French-language songs expressing desire for social or political change. We start with the politically engaged or anti-authoritarian traditions of French chanson in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, then examine their continuities with song traditions in other parts of the French-speaking world. Vocabulary and methods are introduced for discussing and analyzing music, sound (including tone of voice), and interactions between acoustic, verbal and visual images. Activities culminate in an analytical presentation that incorporates organized sound. This can entail either recordings or a live performance provided that either music or rhythmic speech (for instance, in the case of slam, or speech that imitates French cabaret style) is incorporated into the presentation. Alternatively, it can involve the creation of background music or sound effects for French-language lyrics or poetry relating to the course content. Students participate in choosing the regions and time periods studied.

Prerequisite(s): FFS 212 or the equivalent.

Two hours every other week.

Not offered in 2024/25.

Course Format: INT