Course Approval Form
For approval of new courses and deletions or modifications to an existing course.
registrar.gmu.edu/facultystaff/curriculum
Action Requested: Course Level:
X Create new course Delete existing course Undergraduate
Modify existing course (check all that apply) X Graduate
Title Credits Repeat Status Grade Type
Prereq/coreq Schedule Type Restrictions Other:
College/School: Humanities and Social Sciences Department: Modern and Classical Languages
Submitted by: Janine Ricouart Ext: 31593 Email: [email protected]
Subject Code: FREN Number: 553 Fall
X Spring Year 2011 (Do not list multiple codes or numbers. Each course
proposal must have a separate form.)
Effective Term:
Summer Current
Banner (30 characters max including spaces) Title:
New Topics in North African Francophone Literature and Culture
X Fixed 3 or Not Repeatable (NR)
Variable to X Repeatable within degree (RD)
Credits: (check one)
Repeat Status: (check one)
Repeatable within term (RT)
Maximum credits
allowed: 6
X Regular (A, B, C, etc.) X Lecture (LEC) Independent Study (IND)
Satisfactory/No Credit Lab (LAB) Seminar (SEM)
Special (A, B C, etc. +IP) Recitation (RCT) Studio (STU)
Grade Mode: (check one)
Schedule Type Code(s): (check all that
apply) Internship (INT)
Prerequisite(s): Corequisite(s): Instructional Mode:
X 100% face-to-face
Hybrid: ≤ 50% electronically delivered 100% electronically delivered Special Instructions: (list restrictions for major, college, or degree; hard-coding; etc.) Are there equivalent course(s)?
Yes X No If yes, please list
Catalog Copy for NEW Courses Only (Consult University Catalog for models) Description (No more than 60 words, use verb phrases and present
tense) Notes (List additional information for the course)
Analyzes a selection of literary texts (novel, short story, poetry, and/or theater) and authors in their historical and cultural contexts with a focus on the construction of identity: Maghreb in pre and (post)colonial era, recent ideological trends in writing. Advanced critical research and writing required.
May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits when topic is different.
Indicate number of contact hours: Hours of Lecture or Seminar per week: 3 Hours of Lab or Studio: When Offered: (check all that
apply) Fall Summer Spring
Approval Signatures
Department Approval Date College/School Approval Date
If this course includes subject matter currently dealt with by any other units, the originating department must circulate this proposal for review by those units and obtain the necessary signatures prior to submission. Failure to do so will delay action on this proposal.
Unit Name Unit Approval Name Unit Approver’s Signature Date
For Graduate Courses Only
Graduate Council Member Provost Office Graduate Council Approval Date
FREN 553: Topics in North African (Maghreb)
Francophone Literature and Culture
[Sample syllabus based on class offered Spring 2010 ]
Spring 2010 Office hours : Tu. 3-4 :15
Prof : Janine Ricouart (Bureau : Aquia 317)
[email protected]
http://mason.gmu.edu/~jricouar
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The second half of the twentieth century has witnessed an explosion in literature by previously silenced voices from the Maghreb, where several authors have chosen to write in French. These new voices have been in the forefront of modern and postmodern literary movements. By reading and analyzing works by several of these writers, students will be exposed to the nature of the issues and concerns facing various writers in today's postcolonial society and the literary methods used by writers to express minority issues and "reality." This course will expose students to a wide variety of issues that have been part of the Maghreb in recent years.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To develop and demonstrate critical thinking skills
To better one’s ability to understand, read and speak in French
To strengthen one’s research skills and use those skills to produce both oral presentations and written work
To broaden one’s interdisciplinary understanding of the culture and literature of Maghreb
To appreciate connections between history, colonialism, post-colonialism, political movements, and economic changes and further links to fiction and film.
TEXTS to read before class (check schedule for exact dates): Algérie:
1. Dib, Mohammed, Dieu en Barbarie (Paris: Seuil, 1970): 218 p. 2. Djaout, Tahar, Chercheurs d’os (Paris: Seuil, 1984; Points, 2001): p. 3. Djebar, Assia, Le blanc de l’Algérie (Paris: Albin Michel, 1996): p. 4. Feraoun, Mouloud, Le fils du pauvre (Paris: Seuil, 1954): 146 p. 5. Ferdi, Saïd: Un enfant dans la guerre (Paris: Seuil, 1981): 206 p.
6. Mimouni, Rachid, Le fleuve détourné (Paris: Robert Laffont, 1982): 218 p. 7. Mokeddem, Malika, Les hommes qui marchent (Paris: Grasset, 1997): 321 p. 8. Sebbar, Leïla, Le chinois vert d’Afrique (Paris: Eden, 2002: 265 p.
Maroc:
9. Ben Jelloun, Tahar, L’enfant de sable (Paris: 1985): 209 p.
Liban:
10. Chédid, Andrée, Le sixième jour (Paris: René Juillard, 1960): 159 p.
France: Beur:
11. Begag, Azouz, Le gone du Chaâba (Paris: Seuil, 1986): 240 p.
Plusieurs films basés sur la guerre d’indépendance en Algérie et sur les livres lus en classe seront mis en réserve au JC pendant tout le semestre. Vous devrez regarder ces films seulement après avoir lu les livres (pour le jour où le livre sera discuté).
On reserve at the Johnson Center for 4 heures (personal copies except for the first one): 12. The Battle of Algiers, de Gillo Pontecorvo, 1966, 121 mn. DVD GMU Zone 1
13. La guerre d’Algérie de Yves Courrère, 1972. 154 min. DVD Zone 2 14. Le sixième jour, de Youssef Chahine, 1986, 1h45. DVD Zone 2
15. Le gone du Chaâba, de Christophe Ruggia, 1997, 105 min. DVD Zone 2 16. La nuit sacrée, de Nicolas Klotz, 110 min. VHS
General Bibliography on Maghreb Literature (with GMU call numbers). Specific articles on each author will be posted on Blackboard during the semester.
Bensmaïa, Réda. Experimental nations, or, The invention of the Maghreb. Translated by Alyson Waters. Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, 2003. GMU: PQ 3988.5 .N6 B46614 2003
Orlando, Valérie. Nomadic voices of exile: feminine identity in Francophone literature of the Maghreb. Athens : Ohio University Press, 1999. GMU: PQ 3988.5 .N6 O75 1999
Rice, Alison. Time signatures : contextualizing contemporary Francophone autobiographical writing from the Maghreb. Lanham, Md. : Lexington Books, 2006. GMU: PQ 3988.5 .N6 R488 2006 Rosello, Mireille. France and the Maghreb : performative encounters. Gainesville : University Press of Florida,
2005. GMU: DC 59.8 A345 R67 2005
Toumi, Alek Baylee. Maghreb divers : langue française, langues parlées, littératures et représentations des Maghrébins, à partir d’Albert Memmi et de Kateb Yacine. New York : P. Lang, 2002.
GMU: PQ 3988.5 .N6 T68 2002
Woodhull, Winifred. Transfigurations of the Maghreb: feminism, decolonization, and literatures. Minneapolis : University of Minnesota Press, 1993
.
GMU: PQ 3988.5 .N6 W66 1993
General guidelines
1) For all written work submitted, FOLLOW THE MLA HANDBOOK FOR FORMAT AND REFERENCES: Page numbering on the whole document; all pages double spaced, including the last page (Textes cités); one margin all around; 12 point font… Also:
Header on the first page on the right hand side corner, single-spaced: first and last name, class number, and date in French; middle line, centered: title of the assignment (such as: Résumé de..., Essai sur… NOM...: this will identifies specifically the assignment. Type accents directly (don’t add them by hand).
2) If you miss a class, you’ll need to contact a fellow student to find out what was covered in class and what the assignment is for the next class. I cannot answer email and phone requests for assignments. The assignments and schedule of events should be posted on BlackBoard regularly.
3) No late work can be accepted. If you are ill or have a MAJOR reason to turn in an assignment late, you must request permission ahead of time if at all possible. Each paper turned in late will automatically receive a lower grade. If you miss your oral presentation and you did not inform the teacher ahead of class time, you automatically receive an F for that assignment.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1) Active participation (30 %) in the class discussions is essential. In order to succeed in this class, students must be in class on time, attend classes regularly, read assigned books and essays and watch films on reserve at the Johnson Center (at least once prior to coming to class).
2) Oral presentations (20% x 2= 40% of the final grade):
For each of the texts, students will be expected to discuss orally in class the main themes of the book, present briefly the author’s life and writings and give specific comments on style. These presentations (about 30 min. each) will add to our understanding of the work and will ensure that everyone participates in discussions.
3) One midterm and one final paper (30%) (at least 10 pages each), printed, double-spaced, MLA style & stapled.
Written Assignments (30%)
Graduate students will be required to write two research papers (in French) of a minimum of 10 pages in length and each worth 15% of your grade. You should choose your topics early in the semester so that you will have enough time to complete the research and writing. A printed version of the first paper will be due on XX (at the beginning of class). It must be based on your own analysis of a topic related to one or more books. Your research paper must include theoretical research (with at least 5 outside sources).
You are required to discuss your possible topics with me in advance so that I can be of help to you as you research and write these papers.
A printed copy of the first paper due on XX at the beginning of class should be at least 10 pages (using times new roman and 12 point font, with pages numbered and paper stapled) and will be due the week after the spring break (at the beginning of class) with at least 3 serious, refereed critical references. The “Textes cités” section should be added at the end of your essay, no need to write on a separate page svp.
The final paper due on the official final exam date should combine research and original analysis on one or more books and films listed on the syllabus. For this final paper, you are required to submit an outline of the paper and a list of your outside sources by 19 April. At least 5 serious, refereed critical references will be required for this final paper . You should try to incorporate in the final paper the comments you received on the midterm paper.
All papers must be written in French and free of grammatical and stylistic errors. Your paper must be typed, double-spaced, with a 12 point font, a one inch margin all around, and numbered pages. It must also be stapled. Start numbering on page 1 and place your name at the top right-hand corner of the first page. Neither a cover sheet nor a folder is necessary. It is absolutely necessary to be
consistent in your citations and documentation. You must follow MLA format for quotations, references, and Textes cités (at the end of your last page, not on a separate page; not standard but it saves paper). Please use endnotes for explanatory purposes only, and do not use footnotes with notations such as "Ibid." You should have your own copy of the MLA Style Sheet, but in the event that you do not, here are some links that will provide the necessary format to follow:
http://www.docstyles.com/mlacrib.htm http://www.mla.org/style http://www.zbths.k12.il.us/academics/mla_style_sheet/ http://www.sdst.org/shs/library/mla.html http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/instruct/guides/citations.html http://www.mendocino.edu/mendocinocollegelibrary/text/mlaworks.pdf
In addition, I shall go over the basics of documentation in class well in advance of the submission of your first paper. If these instructions are not followed to the letter, your grade will automatically be lowered for each paper.
Make sure you keep a copy of all your work until the semester grade has been posted.
Summary of grading:
o Attendance and Participation 30%
o Oral presentations (2) 40 %
o 2 essays, 10 pages each 30 %
Honor Code, plagiarism, translation software: As described in the Honor System and Code, University Catalog GMU students
pledge "not to cheat, plagiarize, steal or lie in matters related to academic work." Infractions will be referred to the appropriate committee for resolution. If you're unsure of what constitutes plagiarism, please see the professor before submitting any questionable
work! In a language class it is also forbidden to use any kind of translation software. Always write your own devoirs in the
French you know, even if you feel it's slower or sounds too simple. Translated work will receive a grade of zero and/or F and you may be referred to the Honor code for violation.
RELEVANT CAMPUS AND ACADEMIC RESOURCES
Office of Disability Services (ODS): If you have special needs, please let your instructor know at the beginning of the semester and contact the ODS in SUB 1, Room 211, at (703) 993-2474 or 3-2476 (TTY) in order to help you and your instructor set up your learning space and to determine the possible accommodations you might need.
Student Technology Assistance and Resources (STAR) Center: JC 229 (703) 993-8990 Writing Center: Robinson A116 (703) 993-8990
Important dates to remember:
Last day to add: 14 September Last day to drop: 1 October Selective withdrawal period: 20 September Incomplete from the previous semester: 29 October
CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS
(Sujet à changement en cas d’imprévus) week 1: Introduction au cours: le Maghreb francophone: histoire et littérature
Film: La guerre d’Algérie d’Yves Courrière
Voir The Battle of Algiers (1966) de Gillo Pontecorvo pour la semaine prochaine (au JC). week 2: Introduction à la culture, à la société et à la littérature francophone d’Algérie: Lire sur BB
Discussion des 2 films: La guerre d’Algérie et The Battle of Algiers. week 3: Feraoun, Mouloud, Le fils du pauvre (1954) : 2 présentations orales
ch. 1-8 (9-71) ch. 9-fin (72-146)
week 4: Ferdi, Saïd, Un enfant dans la guerre (1981) : 2 présentations orales ch. 1-3 (13-102) ch. 4-fin (103-205)
week 5: Mimouni, Rachid, Le fleuve détourné (1982): 2 présentations orales
(9-101) (102-218)
week 6: Mokeddem, Malika, Les hommes qui marchent (1990): 2 présentations orales ch. 1-7 (9-165) ch. 8-fin (166-321) week 7: Dib, Mohammed, Dieu en Barbarie (1970): 2 présentations orales
(9-110) (111-218)
8-15 Mars: Vacances de printemps
week 8: RENDRE LE PREMIER ESSAI au début de la classe
Introduction à la culture, à la société et à la littérature francophone du Liban, du Maroc et de la
Tunisie et à la littérature beure Film : La nuit sacrée [Salle: TBA]
Week 9: Ben Jelloun, Tahar. L'enfant de sable (1985): 2 présentations orales
Voir film en réserve au JC. Film: Le sixième jour [Salle: TBA]
ch. 1-8 (9-92) ch. 9-fin (93-209)
Week 10: Chédid, Andrée, Le sixième jour (1960): 2 présentations orales Voir film en réserve au JC
ch. 1-3 (9-85) ch. 4-fin (86-159)
week 11: Djaout, Tahar, Chercheurs d’os (1984): 2 présentations orales
ch. 1-8 (9-71) ch. 9-fin (72-146)
week 12: Djebar, Assia. Le blanc de l’Algérie (1996): 2 présentations orales
ch. 1-8 (9-71) ch. 9-fin (72-146)
week 13: Sebbar, Leïla, Le chinois vert d’Afrique (2002): 2 présentations orales
(1-104) (107-256)
Film: Le gone du Chaâba [Salle: TBA]
week 14: Begag, Azouz, Le gone du Chaâba (1986): 2 présentations orales
Voir film en réserve au JC -- Recap/conclusion/summary of class/documentary
(7-122) (122-240)
