French 365 - Skin: Film, Race, and the Francophone World

Through analyses of both the visual and sonic dimensions of the films studied, this class will investigate the status of racialization and colonialism in cinema from the francophone world––in particular from Black France, Haïti, and Senegal. What were the historical impositions on film from the cultures hors France or from marginalized communities within France? When it comes to articulating such notions as race and belonging, what can visual media achieve that literature cannot? What does it mean to designate a film as “racialized” or “F/francophone” in the context of French debates concerning universalism or communitarianism? The class will attend to the ways that the notions of nation, state, and citizenship are bound up in portrayals of Othering and will examine the complexities of what scholars such as Celis and Marks call “the skin” or “the fleshliness” inherent in filmic form. It will consider the sensuous and affective dimensions of these films and the ways in which directorial choices fragment or suture viewing communities in the shadows of racio-colonial systems.  Films may include works by Sembène, Faye, Diop Mambéty, Kassovitz, Mati Diop, Généus, Alice Diop.  Secondary readings may include texts by Adhmed, Bradley, Césaire, Cheng, Fanon, Marks, Ndiaye, Niang, Vergès. Conducted in French.

Prerequisites: FREN 207, 208 or the equivalent. Fall Semester: Professor Sweat

How to handle overenrollment: null

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: An emphasis on written work concerning the analysis of visual and sonic elements of film relative to cultural history; theoretical reflection on both film and affect theory; independent research paired with oral presentations; instruction in a language other than English (French). Assessment will take place through scaffolded essay submissions and essay workshops. All essay submissions will be followed by a required 15-20 minute discussion with the instructor.