Lawence University Francophone Seminar

Courses and Recent Faculty

Students take ten weeks of language courses in French and Wolof at the Baobab Center. Additionally, each week, lectures are given by highly qualified faculty, mostly from the Université Cheikh Anta Diop, covering a variety of topics including West African literature, history, and Islam in Senegal, as well as Senegalese art and music. With the exception of a few lectures by American academics and the Wolof language courses, all of the course instruction, lectures, and discussions are in French.

Credits
Students who complete the program earn a total of 18 units of credit. Students take 6 units in Senegalese culture (French 400, cross-listed as Anthropology 450), 6 units in Senegalese literature and history (French 401), three units in French language (French 402), and 3 units in beginning Wolof (French 403). Students may choose to take all 18 units in French, 12 units in French and 6 units in anthropology, or 12 units in French and 6 units in music. Students may earn credit in musical instruction.

Recent course topics
• Senegalese culture and society through literature
• History of Islam in Senegal
• Senegalese history and politics
• The Atlantic slave trade
• History of traditional African art
• The literature of Saint-Louis, Senegal
• Senegalese music and dance

Recent faculty
Abdoulaye Camara
Director, Le musée historique de Gorée

Viyé Diba
Professor, Faculte des Beaux-Arts, Université de Dakar

Penda Mbow
Professor of History, Université de Dakar

Ousmane Sène
Professor of History, Université de Dakar

Adama Sow
Professor of African Literature, Université de Dakar

Abdou Sylla
Researcher on civilization and literature, Institut Français de l’Afrique, Noire (IFAN)

Ibrahima Thioub
Professor of History, Université de Dakar

Seyba Traore
Director, Orchestre National

Leo Villeron
Professor of Political Science, University of Kansas

Eligibility

Senegal at a Glance

Seminar Description and Cost

Deadline and Contact Information

Francophone Seminar

Off-campus Programs

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