Modern Francophone Poetry

3 units

The first half of this course consists of close readings of the founders of NEGRITUDE: Césaire, Senghor, and Damas. While the political and historical impact of these poets is discussed in some depth, we analyze their poetry primarily in terms of its aesthetic value and concerns. We study American influences such as jazz and the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance along with French influences. The second half of this course focuses on the contemporary poetic scene in Africa and the Caribbean. Prereq: Fr 325 and Fr 326 or one of these courses and the equivalent WU transfer literature course from Toulouse or Paris. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.