Listed in: Architectural Studies, as ARCH-347 | French, as FREN-347
Laure A. Katsaros (Section 01)
(Offered as FREN 347 and ARCH 347) In the aftermath of the French revolution, utopias proliferated in France as perhaps never before. Socialist thinkers such as Charles Fourier (1772-1837) invented entire systems designed to improve social justice, equality, and harmony. Utopian dreams were not restricted to political thought, however: technology, science, and the arts also inspired, and gave shape to, visions of a perfect world. This class will be an introduction to utopian thinkers, designers, and artists of the nineteenth and early twentieth century and will ask why utopia had such a strong hold on the French imagination at the time. We will study philosophical and political sources; city planning and architecture; the development of science-fiction as a utopian genre; Georges Méliès and the beginnings of film; as well as the link between the French colonial Empire and utopian thought, through the example of Algeria.
We will be reading, among other sources, excerpts from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Charles Fourier and Etienne Cabet; futuristic novels by Rosny aîné; essays by historians Mona Ozouf, François Furet, and Antoine Picon; as well as Le Corbusier’s treatise on urban planning, Urbanisme. Class materials will also be drawn from film, architectural plans, and the visual arts. Conducted in French.
Requisite: One of the following—FREN 207, 208 or the equivalent. Fall semester: Professor Katsaros.
How to handle overenrollment: null
Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: Instruction in Language Other than English, emphasis on written work, readings, textual and visual analysis, independent research and oral presentations.
Section 01
M 2:00 PM - 3:20 PM FAYE 113
W 2:00 PM - 3:20 PM FAYE 113