Hélène Tissières
Undergraduate FR 358
Spring 2016
African “Francophone” Literature and film
Women’ voices & battles
READINGS:
- Mariama Bâ
- Assia Djebar
- Werewere Liking
- Fatou Diome
Une si longue lettre
Femmes d’Alger dans leur appartement
Elle sera de jaspe et de corail
Le ventre de l’Atlantique
SECONDARY READINGS:
- Essays by Almeida, Nfah-Abbenyi, Thiam, etc.
FILMS:
- Palcy
- Raoul Peck
- Bouzid
- Sembene
- Sene Absa
Aimé Césaire
Lumumba
Bent familia
Faat Kine
Madame Brouette
Texts should be read in advance as well as films seen (Audio Visual Library) with
questions and comments prepared – for day scheduled on calendar.
DESCRIPTION:
Over the course of the term, we will be looking at texts written by women from North
and sub-Saharan Africa to see how they position themselves regarding present burning
issues: role of women, immigration, use of tradition. We will also see a few films to
discuss how they are represented in order to carve out new spaces. This will bring us to
discuss the historical context in several African countries to better ground our thoughts.
Course is taught in French.
REQUIREMENTS AND COMPUTATION OF GRADE:
Students will be asked to keep up with the reading and writing assignments, coming
well prepared, participating fully in class discussions.
Short papers (2 pages)
Mid-term exam
10%
25%
Final exam
Presentation
Class participation, improvement
Intellectual Journal
25%
10%
15%
15%