FREN 344 - Francophone Islands: An Oceanic Perspective

The course examines the commonalities and differences between francophone islands located in the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean and French Polynesia. For instance, while the creole spoken in Mauritius is very similar to that spoken in Haiti, the two independent nations have a different history and culture. The archipelagos of the three regions have been subject to different colonization and decolonization processes and some islands are still part of France. Vulnerable to the threats of climate change, military displacement and nuclear testing, they also provide models of resistance, marronage, and resilience. The course will engage with the rich literary, artistic, and other cultural productions (food and music) of the three regions, with the rich diversity of cultures within each area, and explore the complex ecotonic seascapes and trans-island archipelagic networks they create. The course provides the opportunity to look at the world from an oceanic perspective. It functions as a discussion and research seminar, with presentations, short essays and digital work. Offered occasionally. (4 Credits)