Class led discussion

20 Setembro 2017, 16:00 • Cecília Maria Beecher Martins

The class broke into groups of 3-4 students so that each group could prepare their response to one individual topic from the list produced by the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University on "Why the Arts are Important".

Presentation of course programme

18 Setembro 2017, 16:00 • Cecília Maria Beecher Martins

 Presentation of course programme and evaluation criteria -

In this Curricular Unit we will explore the role of the arts today by looking at certain artistic expressions in English speaking countries, and discussing their portrayal of and influence on society.

As we move towards a society where the concepts of work and employment are changing as they have never done before and people are bombarded with useless news content that stupefies the mind will the arts play greater roles?

Despite the perspective of the hedonistic artist, the production of great art has always required not just talent, but dedication and hard work. Even moving into modernistic movements, with a few notable exceptions, artists who began new movements understood and dominated the principles of their discipline, even if the artist moves away from this.  However, some forms of contemporary art seem to break with this tradition, due to their ephemeral nature and production techniques – what does this say of our society today?  

We will begin discussing the topics presented in the Johns Hopkins Check List “Why the Arts are Important” followed by doing exercises and reading/discussing newspaper articles on contemporary art that deal with the question – what is art and what is its function in contemporary society? These articles set the tone for the CU both in content and approach to language learning (one text is a CPE Use of English practice exercise).

Looking at film, literature and photography, we will question the role of the arts today

• Are they simply for our pleasure & enjoyment?

or

• Is their principle role to permit a reflection on society?
• And to encourage development, both socially and personally?

We will begin with analysis of film, first free associative film analysis and then formal analysis using visual literacy and a semiotic approach to film analysis. 

Photography will also be analyzed from a visual literacy perspective and as a reflection of society/social change 

We will then analyze literary texts using close reading and reader-response approaches. 

Film and literature may now be consumed and can even be produced by media which differ dramatically from those used even a decade ago. How do these alterations influence the experience of the artist and the reader/viewer?

Syllabus

Discussion of potential role of the arts in contemporary society

Reading and discussion of texts that explore: a) the nature of the arts and b) how the arts can reflect and/or influence social trends,

An introduction to and practice of close reading of literary texts

An introduction to and practice of visual literacy of film stills and other forms of visual art

An introduction to free associative film and literary analysis methods

Prepared class discussion of literature and film

Student led discussion of set courses reading – students must read and present sections of one of the set novels.

A review of argumentative essay structure.

Learning outcomes of the curricular unit: The course will follow the objectives for the C2 Mastery level outlined in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, adapting them to the specific area of appreciation and analysis of the arts. Firstly, looking at film, photography and visual arts produced in the UK and USA in the 20^th and 21^st centuries students will be taught to consider how the arts may reflect, explain or even impulse change in contemporary society. Secondly, students will be instructed in visual literacy of film still and close reading of literary texts to help them perform in-depth analysis of cinema and literature. An understanding of personal connections with film and literature will be taught using free associative film and literary criticism.  As this CU is a thematic English language CU at C2 level all written and oral exercises will be structured and graded at this level.

Evaluation:

40%: Written test based on theoretical elements of the program. 20^th December 2017

30%: 2 x 1,500-word written assignments: comprehensive film or literary reviews using conventional and free associative analysis techniques or an academic essay on the role the arts (in particular film and literature) can play in contemporary society.

30%: Continuous Assessment made up of grades arising from class participation as well as oral assignments. All students must perform at least one class presentation of CU material during the semester because students will be assessed throughout the semester on oral and written work in keeping with the Regulamento Geral de Avaliação da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa.