Francophone Cultures I

The programme is entitled: Mouvances, errances, migrations d'Amérique
It is divided into three parts:
A. Martinique: a land of contrasts
B. Haiti: a broken land
C. Quebec: a land of shelter and struggle

The course aims to retrace the highlights of the history of Martinique, Haiti and French-speaking Canada (with particular focus on the case of Québec). With regard to Martinique, the course will focus, on the one hand, on its relationship with France and, on the other, on the migration of Indian people known as 'engagisme'. In the case of Haiti, after examining the French occupation of the island, the course will begin with the achievement of independence in 1804 to introduce the personalities who have shaped the country's complex political landscape (Toussaint Louverture, Dessalines, Papa Doc, Baby Doc ) and will conclude with the current difficult situation. As for French-speaking Canada, after considering the first contacts with the Western world, we will examine the development of Nouvelle-France and subsequently of Québec, and the linguistic claims underpinning a distinct cultural identity within the English-speaking Canadian context.
We wille teke into consideration the testimonies and thoughts of writers committed to illustrating the motivations underlying migratory dynamics, the cultural implications that accompany them, and the redefinitions of identitybrought about by the encounter with the Other - for both the individual and the community. The analysis will examine the interactions and conflicts between cultures that are very different and distant from each other; the discovery of diversity as a source of enrichment or as a trigger for identity insecurity that can lead to violence; the willingness to welcome the Other in a spirit of exchange; and, conversely, the fear of difference and the hostility that stems from it. The analysis of works aims to highlight a counter-narrative to historical events and a vision of social change as perceived from within the community. For the case of Martinique, we will study La panse du chacal by Raphaël Confiant; for Haiti, Le cri des oiseaux fous by Dany Laferrière; and for Quebec, we will read a selection of short stories and novellas available on MyAriel.