This course will examine fundamental concepts in French culture as they are represented in art, literature and cinematography. We will explore key moments in French history, from the French Revolution at the end of the eighteenth century to the the end of the nineteenth century. Students will be provided with a panoramic view of the events that shaped French cultural discourse: wars, revolutions, imperialism, social issues and aesthetic movements – all through the analysis of literary texts, movies, paintings, political ceremonies and cultural symbols.