Francophone Women in Literature and Culture

Catalog description

Women's issues in literatures and cultures of French-speaking countries in Europe, the mediterranean, Africa, the Caribbean, and Quebec. FR 471 Francophone Women in Literature and Culture (3) (IL)(BA) This course meets the Bachelor of Arts degree requirements. In addition to presenting subject matter that fosters an appreciation of documents and literary sources in French by and about women of Francophone countries in the post-colonial and post-modern era, the course initiates students to researching authentic documentation on those cultures. This course aims at developing a sophisticated, analytical outlook on Francophone women of different ethnic backgrounds and cultures and on women as authors, subjects, and literary "constructions" evolving over time. It provides a sense of the history of colonialism, slavery and Islam where Caribbean or African women are involved. One important component is sociological, demographic research and education. The Internet is a crucial tool for this course. The course contents varies by focussing on particular groups of women such as Caribbean or Islamic Francophone women. Evaluation is based on a balance of in-class and take home exams and a final paper. Participation is expected, including electronic communication with the instructor. Attendance and participation are assigned a significant proportion of the grade (20%) as is feasible and desirable in small classes with fifteen students or less. The class is led in French, the language of most materials presented, and it is designed primarily for French majors and minors. The printed sources and documents are supported and illustrated with video excerpts, films available outside class. Internet research is encouraged and expected. It is offered every three with 18 seats per offering, alternating with FR 470 (Race and Gender Issues in Literatures in French), or special topics courses ("The Francophone Short Story") and period-bound courses ('Twentieth Century French Literature"), advanced literature courses in French.This course fulfills the French major 400-level requirements in either the literature or the culture options, or the French minor similar requirement, and is also meant to fulfill the General Education requirement in race/gender and cultural diversity.