Immigrant Voices

The subject of immigration has been at the center of French political discourse for decades and has recently gained in intensity wiht heated debate over issues like the Islamic veil and the treatment of illegal immigrants. This course aims at examining the myths and realities of immigration through the writings of Magherbin and sub-Saharan African fracophone writers living in France. How do these writers address questions of identity? How do immigrants manage the cultural gap between their native countries and France? We will discuss the challenges of assimilation, acculturation and integration, and the survival strategies deployed to reduce the immigrant's sense of alienation, marginalization, and displacement in France. In other words we will explore how immigrants create what Homi Bhabha has called "The Third Space" which allows them to feel at home away from home. Furthermore, discussions will focus on the challenges posed by the generational gap between immigrant parents and their children and the ways in which they try to strike a balance between their Arab-ness or African-ness or Asian-ness in the context of the precepts of the Republic. The writings of Calixthe Beyala, Fatou Diome, Sakina Boukendenna, Mounsi, Azouz Begag, and Adellatif Chaouite will form the basis of our discussions. 6 units. Three class meetings per week. Prerequisite: one 400 level course or consent of instructor. This course counts as global diversity for the GERs.