CC/CT 399-J1

Cultural Capital and Contemporary Connections:

Eighteenth-Century London and Paris & Modern America

BRIDGEWATER STATE COLLEGE

Summer 2004

June 2 – 17, 2004

BSC CAMPUS CLASS MEETINGS:

April 30, May 7, 10

Final meeting July 1

Instructors

Prof. Henry Shaffer hshaffer@bridgew.edu | CC 024C | 508-531-2670

Dr. Arthur Lizie alizie@bridgew.edu Library 323 508-531-2170

Course Description

This course investigates the cross-Channel exchange of “cultural capital” between England and France during the 18^th century with an eye toward its impact on the nascent United States and contemporary American attitudes. Using the theatres, cafes, and museums of London and Paris as living classrooms, we focus on differing visions of “cultural capital” that arose during this period, such as ideas about fashion, art, information, cuisine, and theatre. These differing visions provide a strong basis for current conceptions (and misconceptions) about national identity, knowledge, power, and status.

Texts

We will provide you with a reading pack

It is suggested that you obtain a London and/or Paris city guide, such as Lonely Planet or Time Out. These guides provide brief cultural histories and ideas for free time.

Guidelines and Policies

All students are expected to fulfill all the course requirements:

• To attend all class sessions at Bridgewater State College, England and France;
• To interact in a professional and interested manner as a representative of Bridgewater State College;
• To be prepared for the content and nature of these sessions by having read assigned background information;
• To write an academic journal of your experience;
• To create and present a final project, which can be either a paper or a creative project of your own devising, e.g., a presentation on 18^th women’s court dress.
• To develop a report on what you have learned about American culture in light of information gained from your overseas experience on the specifically assigned date or site.

Specific assignment information will be handed out in class.

All assignments will be graded, as will the content and quality of students’ participation in the course events.  At the end of the course, each student will earn a letter grade based on this breakdown:

          30%   Academic Journal

          30%   Post-trip course project

          25%   Overall seminar participation

          15%   Date- and/or site-specific report    

Attached is a tentative schedule of daily activities while in England and France.  A precise daily schedule of events will be distributed prior to departure.

Tentative Schedule Summer 2004

CC/CT 399-J1

Cultural Capital and Contemporary Connections:

Eighteenth-Century London and Paris & Modern America

April 30	Initial Meeting
May 7	Introduction
May 10	Readings and discussion
June 2	Depart Boston
June 3	Arrive London.  City tour/National Portrait Gallery.  Welcome Dinner
June 4	Museum of the City of London
June 5	Tour of BBC.  Attend taping session
June 6	Fleet Street. Dr. Johnson’s House.  Dennis Sever House
June 7	Excursion to Bath
June 8	Victoria and Albert Museum.  Wallace Collection
June 9	Free Day
June 10	Eurostar: London/Paris   Paris city tour
June 11	Nôtre Dame/ Ste. Chappelle/ Ile de la Cité
June 12	Musée du Louvre
June 13	Musée du Carnavalet
June 14	Château de Versailles
June 15	Hôtel de Soubise
June 16	Free day
June 17	Arrive Boston
July 1	Final class meeting/ presentations