FR 291: The Culture and Civilization of Québec (I) Prerequisite: Intermediate French, high school equivalent, or permission of instructor EYH 2010: Travel to Montreal, Quebec, January 3‐11, 2010 This course will meet during the spring semester, T/TH 2:40 – 4:10 pm Cost: Approximate cost is $1,290.00. This includes transportation to Montreal and within the city, hotel accommodation downtown, meals, cultural activities, day trip to the Laurentian Mountains, and program fees. Students will need a valid US passport to travel to Canada. In 1641 a group of French settlers sailed to New France and in May 1642 they founded a small colony on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River which would become known as Montreal. Today Montreal is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city known for its beautiful architecture, rich cultural life, and exquisite French cuisine. As a crossroad between Europe and North America, it is the largest French‐speaking city in the world after Paris. Students will spend 9 days in Montreal exploring the city’s historical neighborhoods and cultural attractions. Activities will include museum visits, French film outings, a lecture on the city’s history at Concordia University, and a day trip to the Laurentian Mountains. In addition to exposing students to Montreal’s cultural history, this trip will also give them the opportunity to use their French language skills. Course Description: This course will examine the cultural history of the province of Québec from the early exploration of Jacques Cartier to modern day issues of cultural and linguistic identity. In an era which debates over nationalisms, ethnicities, separatisms, and the recuperation of historically oppressed cultures dominate the information landscape, it seems fitting to approach the study of a multicultural and multilingual region as Québec not as a homogeneous entity, but rather a heterogeneous tapestry of various cultures and languages. Class discussions will focus on cultural manifestations derived from the realms of literature, film, architecture, music, and the visual arts. The course will include readings by Québécois authors Gabrielle Roy, Gaetan Soucy, Anne Hébert, Nelly Arcan, and films by directors Claude Jutra, Denys Arcand, Karim Hussain, and Luc Picard. Note: Class readings will be adapted to the students’ level of French. For more information please contact: Dr. Katica Urbanc, Department of Modern Languages: [email protected]