French Studies 497PL - ST-North African Fiction

Course description not available at this time.

This course offers a rigorous introduction to the francophone literature of the Maghreb, focusing on major writers from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. We will trace the development of the contemporary North African novel from foundational works by Camus, Memmi and Yacine to more recent novels by Khadra, Ben Jelloun and Cossery. Our readings will include popular crime fiction, political satire, auto fiction, and historical novels. By placing fiction in a rich interdisciplinary context alongside film and critical essays, we will explore how writers engage with issues such as the Arab uprisings, nationalism and identity, the rise of fundamentalism, colonial and post-colonial history, and gender. Students will be expected to participate actively to class discussions, prepare an oral presentation, and write a 10-15pg research paper. Competence in French is required, as texts will be discussed in the original.