Presentations & French Philosophy

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Today we will learn about French culture. As you learn about these pieces please take note so that you can do the following project:

1. Write something in France. Use history, culture, etc. that you learn today to create French characters, settings, conflicts, plots, etc.
2. Take notes about France to compare our culture with France's culture. Some of you may travel later in your life. You may wish to stop in or fly through France. Get to know it.
3. Be polite and pay attention to the work of your peers. You may learn something about giving a presentation. You may learn something about the topic. You may learn something.

Please use the links to take notes on the following questions (homework for Tuesday). You may use this information to help you answer your homework (due TUESDAY):

Existentialism
Albert Camus
1. Jot down a few notes about Camus' life and biography. Answer: who was he, why is he important to Western Civilization.
2. In your own words explain Camus' view on Absurdity.
3. In your own words explain Camus' view on Solidarity.
4. Who was Sisyphus and how might this myth be a good example of absurdity?
5. In your own words explain Existentialism.
6. What are some basic principals, movements or themes of existentialism?
On-going question as you read and prepare for our class discussion on Camus:

7. How might The Stranger be considered an example of existentialism? What is Camus' point about the meaning of our lives?

STORY/POEM/PLAY/CREATIVE RESPONSE IDEA: Choose a quote from Albert Camus and use this somehow in your writing (either as an epigram or perhaps as a starting point for a story/poem/essay/script, etc.)

HOMEWORK: Finish reading The Stranger. Answer the 6 questions above and hand in for Tuesday. Those of you interested in philosophy may wish to view a few Modern French philosophers: Michel Foucault and Jacques Derrida and Jacques Lacan.

French Modern Philosophers:
Michel Foucault: The Culture of the Self (part one)
Michel Foucault vs. Noam Chomsky
Derrida: On Deconstruction
Lacan on Death, Faith

And for fun: Cartier Film

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