Francophone Cultures I
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Through a transdisciplinary approach, the course aims to give the students an extensive knowledge of the cultural practices in the main French-speaking areas. To this purpose, various media (literary texts, critical texts, images, videos) will be used to understand the cultural and transcultural dynamics set up in those areas.
Expected learning outcomes
The ability, through specific critical tools, to understand, analyse and compare different cultural phenomena, sociological dynamics of relationship, intercultural and transcultural connections. More specifically, the student should get a wider vision of the multiple diversity of contemporary society and develop possible answers to the issues that will arise during this socio-cultural research.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
TITLE: Ecology and resistance. Environmental imaginaries in the face of modernity in France and the French-speaking world (XXᵉ-XXIᵉ centuries)
Aim: To explore the intersections between literature, ecology and globalisation through literary texts and comics using an ecocritical approach.
This theme brings together ecological issues, postcolonial criticism and media representations, encouraging a cross-disciplinary reading of France and the French-speaking world.
Module 1: French literature - Technological conquest and ecological crises (20h)
Context: Modernisation, urbanisation and environmental criticism in contemporary France.
Literary texts :
1. Maylis de Kerangal, Naissance d'un pont (2010) , Paris, Gallimard, coll. Folio (also KINDLE)
2. Étienne Mauvigner, Le Tour du monde (2016), Paris, Minuit ddouble (also KINDLE)
Text review:
A. Ghosh, La grande cecità, NeriPozza, 2017 (or in English v.o.)
Module 2: Francophone literatures - Resource exploitation and resistance (20h)
Context: Postcolonialism, extractivism and climate justice in the Francophone space.
Literary texts:
1. In Koli Jean Bofane, Congo Inc. Le testament de Bismarck (2016), Paris, Babel (also KINDLE)
2. LAFERRIÈRE, Dany, Tout bouge autour de moi (2011), Paris, Grasset & Fasquelle, Le Livre de Poche (also KINDLE)
Critical text:
Zones à dire. Pour une écopoétique transculturelle. Dossier coordonné par Le Collectif ZoneZadir · Littérature 2021/1 N° 201. Armand Colin : en libre accès : https://zonezadir.hypotheses.org/dossier-ecopoetique-transculturelle.
Aim: To explore the intersections between literature, ecology and globalisation through literary texts and comics using an ecocritical approach.
This theme brings together ecological issues, postcolonial criticism and media representations, encouraging a cross-disciplinary reading of France and the French-speaking world.
Module 1: French literature - Technological conquest and ecological crises (20h)
Context: Modernisation, urbanisation and environmental criticism in contemporary France.
Literary texts :
1. Maylis de Kerangal, Naissance d'un pont (2010) , Paris, Gallimard, coll. Folio (also KINDLE)
2. Étienne Mauvigner, Le Tour du monde (2016), Paris, Minuit ddouble (also KINDLE)
Text review:
A. Ghosh, La grande cecità, NeriPozza, 2017 (or in English v.o.)
Module 2: Francophone literatures - Resource exploitation and resistance (20h)
Context: Postcolonialism, extractivism and climate justice in the Francophone space.
Literary texts:
1. In Koli Jean Bofane, Congo Inc. Le testament de Bismarck (2016), Paris, Babel (also KINDLE)
2. LAFERRIÈRE, Dany, Tout bouge autour de moi (2011), Paris, Grasset & Fasquelle, Le Livre de Poche (also KINDLE)
Critical text:
Zones à dire. Pour une écopoétique transculturelle. Dossier coordonné par Le Collectif ZoneZadir · Littérature 2021/1 N° 201. Armand Colin : en libre accès : https://zonezadir.hypotheses.org/dossier-ecopoetique-transculturelle.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the French language is mandatory. A general knowledge of XXth century history and the ability to grasp specific cultural themes and motifs through critical analysis tools is required.
Teaching methods
The course will not only be face-to-face but will also have a seminar-style interaction with learners.
Teaching Resources
Module 1:
Literary texts :
1. Maylis de Kerangal, Naissance d'un pont (2010) , Paris, Gallimard, coll. Folio (also KINDLE)
2. Étienne Mauvigner, Le Tour du monde (2016), Paris, Minuit double (also KINDLE)
Essay:
A. Ghosh, La grande cecità, NeriPozza, 2017 (or in English v.o.)
Module 2:
Literary texts:
1. In Koli Jean Bofane, Congo Inc. Le testament de Bismarck (2016), Paris, Babel (also KINDLE)
2. LAFERRIÈRE, Dany, Tout bouge autour de moi (2011), Paris, Grasset & Fasquelle, Le Livre de Poche (also KINDLE)
Critical text:
Zones à dire. Pour une écopoétique transculturelle. Dossier coordonné par Le Collectif ZoneZadir · Littérature 2021/1 N° 201. Armand Colin : en libre accès : https://zonezadir.hypotheses.org/dossier-ecopoetique-transculturelle.
Literary texts :
1. Maylis de Kerangal, Naissance d'un pont (2010) , Paris, Gallimard, coll. Folio (also KINDLE)
2. Étienne Mauvigner, Le Tour du monde (2016), Paris, Minuit double (also KINDLE)
Essay:
A. Ghosh, La grande cecità, NeriPozza, 2017 (or in English v.o.)
Module 2:
Literary texts:
1. In Koli Jean Bofane, Congo Inc. Le testament de Bismarck (2016), Paris, Babel (also KINDLE)
2. LAFERRIÈRE, Dany, Tout bouge autour de moi (2011), Paris, Grasset & Fasquelle, Le Livre de Poche (also KINDLE)
Critical text:
Zones à dire. Pour une écopoétique transculturelle. Dossier coordonné par Le Collectif ZoneZadir · Littérature 2021/1 N° 201. Armand Colin : en libre accès : https://zonezadir.hypotheses.org/dossier-ecopoetique-transculturelle.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination will be oral, in French, and consists of an interview to test the skills and knowledge acquired.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)