FREN 404 - Voices from Africa

In this course, students will be introduced to the great variety of texts written in Sub-Saharan West and Central Africa. Through the study of great pre-colonial Mandingue epics transcribed into French to post-genocide literature from Rwanda, students will become familiar with writers from Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, Rwanda, Ivory Coast as well as with other materials such as music, visual art and other art forms. The course will also expose students to the relationship between France and former African colonies from the first encounters to the current discourses and debates about the “FrançAfrique” as well as to post-colonial theory and to immigration literature from the African perspective. Each class will start with music. The course will also familiarize students with the francophone African communities in the Twin Cities. TIn this course, students will be introduced to the great variety of texts written in Sub-Saharan West and Central Africa. Through the study of great pre-colonial Mandingue epics transcribed into French to post-genocide literature from Rwanda, students will become familiar with writers from Senegal, Mali, Cameroon, Rwanda, Ivory Coast as well as with other materials such as music, visual art and other art forms. The course will also expose students to the relationship between France and former African colonies from the first encounters to the current discourses and debates about the “FrançAfrique” as well as to post-colonial theory and to immigration literature from the African perspective. Each class will start with music. The course will also familiarize students with the francophone African communities in the Twin Cities. Taught in French. Prerequisite(s): FREN 306. Offered occasionally. (4 Credits)