African Stories, African Histories: Contemporary Francophone African Literature and Film*

In this course students will be introduced to Africa’s complex history through fictional recounts by African creatives. Students will be exposed to African storytelling styles, remarking how African writers transpose traditional oral techniques into written French narratives. Students will hone their literary analytic skills while improving their written and oral skills in the French language. Students will interrogate how we can retrace Africa’s historical trajectory through its literature and film. We will examine themes of oppression and resistance, trauma and healing in contemporary Francophone African literature and films. Creative works will include: the film Karmen Geï (2001), directed by Joseph Gai Ramaka; the film La nuit des rois (2020), directed by Philippe Lacôte; the novel Notre Dame du Nil (2012) by Scholastique Mukasonga; the novel Les arbres en parlent encore (2002) by Calixthe Beyala. (Any FREN course numbered 0220-0233 or by waiver)