Fall 2004

E 322 • Contemporary African Francophone Literature

Course Description

This course will examine in translation contemporary North and sub-Saharan African literary texts written in French. Over the course of the term, we will be studying important works from Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo. We will acquire the necessary tools to ground our analyses by looking at a selection of theoretical essays on postcolonial struggles; exile and alienation; disillusion; role of women; juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary approaches; use of French language. We will also see several films to enrich our discussions.

Grading Policy

Students need to participate fully in class discussions, keep up with reading and writing assignments as this is a substantial writing component course. The writing activities must total at least 16 double-spaced pages (about 4000 words).

2 short essays (3-5 pages on assigned topics) 100 pts
Midterm exam 50 pts
Presentation (on material read for class) 50 pts
1 final paper (~7 pages) 100 pts
Homework, participation, attendance, improvement 100 pts

Total: 400pts

Texts

Tahar ben Jelloun, The Sand Child
V.Y. Mudimbe, Before the Birth of the Moon
André Chedid, The Multiple Child
Ahmadou Kourouma, The Suns of Independence
Assia Djebar, Fantasia; an Algerian Cavalcade

Films:
Nouri Bouzid, Bent Familia
Sembene Ousmane, Faat Kine
Djibril Diop Mambety, Hyenas

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