FRE 334 - Immigration and Identity

This course will explore the relationship between immigration and identity in cultures across the Francophone world, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean route to Europe. We will start by critically examining the European discourse surrounding the 2015 “migrant crisis” that continues to impact policies related to immigration. We will then challenge the narrative of the “migrant crisis” by examining different aspects of the migration journey through texts and films that represent travel across borders, refugee camps, detention centers, and the experience of women. Finally, in order to further complexify our understanding of the subject, we will consider the “dream” of life in France that leads many to undertake such a perilous journey along with the disappointment they encounter when faced with roadblocks to integration. Assignments will include an oral presentation, weekly discussion board postings, analytical papers, and a community engagement-based final project.

Satisfies the Literary Thought, Creative Writing, and Rhetoric requirement