FREN 351 - Culture of Empire, Culture of Resistance: Representation and Power in the French-Speaking World from Imperialism to Decolonization

1.00

In this course, we engage with literature and culture in the broad sense of the terms as we consider various media, including an array of literary genres as well as films, paintings, and music. The objective is to investigate how culture and voice shaped imperialism through decolonization alike throughout the French-speaking world. Namely, we examine the stakes of representation through Orientalism, imperialism, and decolonization. We therefore consider France, the French colonial project, and the evolution of the francophone world across various historical and cultural moments from the 19th to the 21st centuries.

This course is designed with both content and skills in mind. It will introduce students to cultural documents that illustrate France’s imperial project, the development of francophone, and to a host of political, cultural, and economic issues associated with postcolonial studies. In addition, through discussion, a midterm exam, oral presentations, and short research / reflection papers, students will develop close reading, critical thinking, research, advanced writing, and public presentation skills. Prerequisite: FREN 250.