France+Trip

=France Trip:= Mary Rodeback and I have organized and lead trips to France in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Our trips offer a great opportunity and value for students interested in European travel, history, and literature. Our trips are not affiliated with outside tour companies that allow to put together a lot more trip for a lot less money. We are planning another great trip for the summer of 2016. If you are want to know more about the trip, why France, and why we do it please download the little brochure we made up, visit our website at: [] or contact either Mary or me directly.

Video's on YouTube:
Michael Woods' //Art of the Western World.// 9 Episode summary of the Western Artistic tradition from ancient Greece through the 1980's. Produced by the BBC in the late 1980's this is a terrifically informative, entertaining, and substantive survey of Western Art History. Woods is erudite and brings a real appreciation for subject but invites expert scholars to lecture on individual masterpieces. These films are generally available on Youtube, but they go on and off any particular channel so I have not given links. Search Youtube by title. Consider buying the whole season, if you are interested in art history this is a great 10 hour primer, very well worth the $14.99 you can buy it for from Amazon streaming video. We particularly encourage you to watch the following episodes:


 * Episode #1 "The Classical Ideal" - Introduction to the humanism expressed in Greek art that was copied and propagated throughout the European and Mediterranean world by the Romans. Does a great job of teaching the vocabulary of Greco-Roman architecture. We will explore important Roman structures in Provence at Nime, Pont du Gard, and at Glanum. This will give good background. This architectural vocabulary comes back into fashion in the late 16th Century and we will explore what the builders of Versailles and Paris were trying to reconnect with as we take in the neo-classical architecture of Paris and Versailles.


 * Episode #2 "A White Garment of Churches" - Second half of this in particular gives an Art Historians tour of Chartres Cathedral which is one of our big destinations. Really strongly encourage you to look at at least the second half hear. Chartres is a real wonder and it is such a privledge to not only visit, but understand what the makers were expressing with the monument. This is the kind of thing which having a teacher really helps you get more out of the thing.


 * Episodes #3&4 "The Early" & "The High Renaissance" - Not screened in AP Euro but recommended especially if interested in Renaissance art. We will see a very high quality bit of High Renaissance art at the Louvre - Interestingly, the Louvre's collection of Northern Renaissance and Dutch Baroque art is actually more extensive.


 * Episode #6 "Age of Reason, Age of Passion" - We consider this must see. Screened in AP Euro class. This is an examination of what ideas the 17th Century neo-classical architects and artists were trying to either reconnect with or propose during and just before the enlightenment. This hour will explain the architectural vocabulary of the neo-classical public buildings in Paris for sure, but here in America too, to include the columns in front of our own school. He does a great job with the artist David who's "Sabine Women" and "Oath of the Horatii" are two of my favorites in my favorite gallery of the Louvre. The second half of this program considers the romantic reaction to the unrelenting rationality of 18th century culture. Here David is a leader too. Many of the works shown and discussed in detail we will see at the Louvre. The Louvre can be an overwhelming experience. This program will make it an experience to savor - Must see.


 * Episode #8 "Impressionism and Post Impressionism" - This covers the cultural and art history of the late 19th Century. The subject matter of this video is the heart of the Musee d'Orsay and the Orangerie and Monet's house and gardens at Giverney. The Orsay is the easiest museum in the world to like and impressionism is the most popular art in the western tradition, watching this will make you like the museums and impressionism more!


 * Episode #9 "In Our Own Time" - A primer on modern art. Particularly the first half of this program will provide great background to our visit to the Pompidou Center.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L7NZR1G/?ref=dvm_us_dl_sl_go_smd|c_256943307576_m_dfq7R2EV-dc_s__&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9Z_w5OiF2wIVhcpkCh3NMgRQEAMYAiAAEgK_RfD_BwE
 * "D-Day 360":** Great 2014 PBS documentary that examines events at Omaha beach in detail. Features interviews of survivors on both sides and high production values. Must see video! Can watch free on Amazon Prime:

My phone number is 503.841.2223. Mary's number is 503.504.4407