Intermediate French II: Masters, Slaves, and 'New Men": Francophone Writing Against Empire

This course aims to give students a basic tool kit for thinking and writing in French about the intellectual and cultural history of colonial domination and anticolonial resistance in the francophone Caribbean and Africa—primarily since the 19th century. We will explore the variety of ways that the participants in this history have imagined the dynamic relationship between the colonizer and the colonized and the degree to which the colonial imagination has been determined by the colonizer. Course materials and discussions will focus on how race, language, and religion have been used as instruments of both political oppression and anticolonial revolt. Readings will include texts by authors such as Victor Hugo, André Gide, Aimé Césire, Maïssa Bey, and Assia Djebar; but we will also examine a range of cultural products relating to French colonialism, such as postcards, toys and games, comic books, and films. We will emphasize, through literary and cultural analysis, the formal and ideological aspects of the texts while improving lexical and grammatical skills. Special attention will be given to oral communication, participation, and written skills. Students will meet individually with the teacher to further discuss projects and assignments. Course conducted in French. Admission by placement test or by completion of Intermediate French I.