This course will introduce you to the language, history and cultural production of Québec from the 16th century to the present. Throughout the course, we will focus on writers' and filmmakers' relationships with language and the particular situation of French in Québec, as both a language of conquest and as a minority language within Canada and North America. We will study Native American legends and contemporary literature in French, colonial journals and letters, political documents, short stories, poems, novels, popular music, and films.
Sharpen your close reading skills through diverse texts and films
Build knowledge of key literary and cinematic works from Québec
Think critically about issues related to colonization, class, race, religion, gender and sexuality within the Québécois context
Understand links between the colonial past and current events and ideologies
Increase the grammatical and lexical accuracy of your spoken and written expression
Expand your active vocabulary and idiomatic usage
Increase your ability to organize and articulate effectively complex ideas in speaking and writing
Conduct independent research and locate and select appropriate primary and secondary sources related to your topic and argument