Civilisation of the Dutch-speaking countries : cultural aspects

lgerm1335  2021-2022  Louvain-la-Neuve

Civilisation of the Dutch-speaking countries : cultural aspects
5.00 credits
30.0 h
Q1

This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2021-2022
Teacher(s)
. SOMEBODY; Smeyers Elies;
Language
Dutch
Prerequisites
Level B2 of the Common Europea Framework of Reference for Languages
Main themes
The course studies the major cultural, artistic and political trends and developments in the European countries that have German, English or Dutch as a principal language (intellectual life, visual arts, music, architecture, etc.).
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 General survey of the cultural developments of the German-/ English-/ Dutch-speaking countries. By the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired an understanding of the culture of the European countries where German/ English/ Dutch is a major language.
 
Content
In this course, we want to explore the evolution of cultural identities in the Dutch-spreaking regions starting around the 15th century until now. First of all, we will explore a diversity of interpretations of the concepts culture and cultural identity. In order to avoid a too monolithic and essentialist idea of the cultural aspects under study, the multicultural reality and intercultural interactions will be taken into account, e.g. the impact of commercial, colonial and migration networks.
Starting from such an intercultural and nuanced perspective, we will take art history as a central focus, without therefore adopting a purely ‘canonical’ point of view. On the contrary, we will counterbalance the traditional canon with a particular attention for (post)colonial art and its impact on the interpretation of certain cultural artefacts.
This more inclusive approach also takes the position of women into account in the study of cultural and artistic history – not just as a muse or stereotyped image, but also as an artist and a socio-cultural agent. By studying several cultural and historical aspects of the Dutch-speaking world, this course wants to stimulate the student to recognise intercultural influences and to reflect critically upon the canon, identitary categories and historical/artistic classifications and delimitations.
Evaluation methods
Oral exam, in Dutch, about the material dealt with during the course and the personal reflection assignments, with a critical discussion in which the student shows his/her capacity to draw connections between different aspects of the course material. The oral exam counts for 18/20 of the final result.
Active participation during the year (reading the proposed articles, discussion during the course, participation in personal reflection assignments) counts for 2/20 of the final result.
In case of failure and re-inscription for the exam, the division of the marks stays the same: 2/20 for active participation during the year (continuous evaluation, the marks of the evaluation during the year stay unaltered).
18/20 for the oral exam during the August-September session. The oral exam will be organised in the same way as in January.
Other information
Course material: The students will find the PPT. presentations, the articles to read, the media to consult and/or the ‘personal reflection’-assignments every week on Moodle.
Faculty or entity
ELAL


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures : General

Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures: German, Dutch and English

Minor in Dutch Studies