This course is a journey of discovery through the history, art and architecture of Paris, a city renowned throughout the world as the city of love, the city of light and the city of elegance and style. We will take this journey via the lines and stations of the Paris Metro, adorned with fabulous décor and artworks that illustrate all that is best or most dramatic about the city. The last 300 years have seen a series of dramatic and often traumatic passages in the lives of Parisians, their royal, military and political leaders, and their cultural icons. The course starts with a brief history of France and Paris. This sets the context for the main study of the Metro's images from the ever-changing scene of France in the fields of entertainment, art and architecture, politics and war. So much to enjoy here, from the great artists, the spectacular buildings, the exotic personalities and the tumultuous life of the streets, the clubs and the theatres.
Course aim
To provide an insight into the turbulent history, world-famous art and glorious architecture of Paris, and to reveal the artworks illustrating all these aspects of the city that adorns the platform walls of the Paris Metro.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Identify the Frenchman at the heart of the "Special relationship" between France and America.
- Find the full-scale replica of Jules Verne's submarine "Nautilus" buried under the streets of Paris.
- Find the best gallery of scenes from the ten decades of 20th century Paris.
- Cite two examples of art installations gifted to the Metro by cities abroad.
- Name the two Metro stations that have celebrated the works of Pablo Picasso.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- Your tutor will provide written, text and audio feedback recorded in WEA Canvas, WEA’s digital learning platform.
- You will be able to keep a digital portfolio of your work on WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas.
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- A range of both formal and informal assessment and feedback methods will be used which may include quizzes, question and answer, short tasks and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- Nothing else is needed
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
- The following three books provide excellent Paris background; useful reading before, during or after the course: "The Other Paris" by Luc Sante "Parisians - An Adventure History of Paris" by Graham Robb "Paris" by Rutherford
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
- This course should provide an enhanced knowledge and understanding of Paris and its Metro system. As such, it is an ideal course for those intending to visit or stay in Paris in the future.
Download full course information sheet
