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This course explores the multifaceted Francophone World from a comparative perspective, with historical and contemporary examples of French-speaking communities and nations that exist beyond the confines of France and Europe: from Francophone Canada and North Africa to the Pacific.
“From Wīwī to Iwi: Comparing Cultures in the Francosphere” will expose students to the Francophone World, beyond the confines of France and Europe. The content and contexts explored, namely Francophone Canada, North Africa, and the Pacific, are both against France, in that the processes of colonialism inevitably create conflict, while also being set contiguously – and more positively – against the cultural and historical backdrop of France, whose cultural, linguistic, and socio-political norms represent hegemonic structures that are at once accepted and glorified as well as reshaped and reimagined. This course on comparative francophone cultures will focus on alterity and subjectivity, on colonialism and globalization, as well as French in a minority context in several geographical spaces.
At the completion of this course, a student will have acquired:1. An in-depth understanding of France’s legacy in the world, whether artistic, political, philosophical, or epistemological2. Extensive and intensive knowledge in key areas of French and Francophone culture, both past and contemporary3. A heightened understanding of many approaches to French Studies, and the ability to assimilate, assess, and utilise diverse methodological and theoretical concepts4. An excellent understanding of postcolonial studies in a Francophone context5. An ability to place French cultural texts in a wider social and historical context, and to take account of differences in genre, purpose, and philosophy;6. An extensive understanding of the diachronic evolution of French and Francophone cultures in relation to current global affairs: such as issues of language politics, diverse sociolinguistic registers, colonialism, and post-colonialism.7. A heightened understanding of biculturalism in New Zealand, and in comparison to other multicultural nations.8. A strong ability to identify relevant secondary sources about France and Francophone countries, as well as an excellent understanding of diverse critical approaches;9. Development of intellectual curiosity, and enhanced global and intercultural understanding;10. An ability to show an excellent level of critical thinking and argumentative skills, thus further engraining critical competence in students, which extends far beyond French studies;11. Developed competence in reading a variety of texts in French: such as historical, political, and literary documents.12. Gained confidence in public speaking (in a foreign language), a highly employable trait for many disciplines.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
Engaged with the community
Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
Any 60 points at 200 level from any subject.
FREN226
Students must have reading knowledge of French.
Antonio Viselli
There is a Learn (Moodle) component to this course.Other material, which may be helpful, can be found in the Library Subject Guides
Domestic fee $1,597.00
International fee $7,200.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .