51³ÉÈËÁÔÆæ

Course Description

Summary

Their films, their books, their work, their lives have marked and shaped other lives. This course will focus on selected works of French and francophone women creators – authors, painters, scientists, stand-up comedians, entrepreneurs. We will explore a variety of genres and forms of expressions (essays, novels, films, Skype and live interviews, stand-up acts, etc.).  Readings include excerpts from La Princesse de Clèves (Madame de Lafayette, 1678), Histoire de ma vie  (George Sand, 1855), Le deuxième sexe (Simone de Beauvoir, 1949), Rêves de femmes: une enfance au harem (Mernissi, 1996), and the book Kiffe kiffe demain (Guène 2006).  Course material also includes three films: Rue Cases-Nègres (Palcy 1983), Les silences du palais (Tlatli, 1994), Inch’Allah dimanche  (Benguigui, 2008), paintings by Berthe Morisot, scientist Marie Curie’s biographical texts, skits by humorists Florence Foresti and Valérie Lemercier. Students will also learn from their live discussions with contemporary French women, Maboula Soumahoro, creator of the Black History Month in France, and entrepreneur Samia Ait-Hellal whose life and work reflect contemporary France. Written assignments and oral presentations will help students improve their reading, speaking and writing skills in French. Students will also exchange with native speakers on a conversation exchange platform. Advanced level. Conducted in French.