Culture of the Dutch language area

lgerm1335  2023-2024  Louvain-la-Neuve

Culture of the Dutch language area
5.00 credits
30.0 h
Q1

This biannual learning unit is being organized in 2023-2024
Teacher(s)
Smeyers Elies;
Language
Dutch
Main themes
In this course, we study the cultural life of the Dutch-speaking regions, with specific attention for their varied artistic life
Learning outcomes

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

1 give an overview of the developments in the cultural life of the Dutch-speaking regions;
 
2 have a critical attitude towards the traditional artistic canon, identitary concepts and historical/artistic classifications.
 
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: German, Dutch and English

Minor in Dutch Studies

Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures : General