This course will explore a variety of major works of art in order to appreciate and understand French modernity (beginning with the Second Empire) from an interdisciplinary perspective on the arts in society. We will take Baudelaire's writings as our unifying focus, with particular attention to his innovations in poetry and art criticism. We will examine the connections that he develops between visual images and literary art. The course will take the form of a seminar, with emphasis on student participation. Each student will be responsible for leading the discussion of a number of readings; each student will be responsible for active, well-prepared participation in the discussions. Written work will focus on the works read for class and will take the form of critiques prepared to facilitate class discussion, two take-home midterms, and an in-class exam. Prerequisite: None.
