French 314
French Caribbean Literatures

taught by Professor Suzanne Toczyski
of the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures,
on Mondays & Wednesdays from 2pm to 3:50pm,
in Nichols 173

Office: Stevenson 3016G
Telephone: 707.664.4177
Fax: 707.664.2363
E-mail: suzanne.toczyski@sonoma.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:30pm-2:30pm, or by appointment.

COURSE CALENDAR
(subject to change!)

Course Homepage
Course Description



date
class agenda
assignments

August 27

Introduction to the course;
Introduction to the Caribbean.

Read the course website carefully, including course description, calendar, etc. Also, read excerpts from Jean-Baptiste Labat's journals1 and journals 2 . (Note: there is some overlap in journals 1 and 2; skim through 2 till you arrive at material not covered in 1.) Also Read excerpts from the poetry of Aimé Césaire.

September 1
NO CLASS!
CAMPUS CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
September 3
Reading quiz!
Exploration: Labat
& Césaire
Read pages 22-63 of Masters of the Dew by Jacques Roumain 

September 8

Reading quiz!
Exploration: Roumain

Read pages 64-131 of Masters of the Dew by Jacques Roumain.
Also, begin reading the stories in Krik! Krak! so you can choose a story to work on with your group.

September 10

Reading quiz!
Exploration: Roumain

Finish Masters of the Dew, pp.131 to end .
Also, continue reading Krik! Krak! Meet with your group to choose a short story for the first oral presentation.

September 15

Reading quiz!
Choice of days/texts for oral presentation.
Exploration: Roumain

Read pages 5-59 of Black Shack Alley by Joseph Zobel.
Begin work on your oral presentation!
Consider writing Paper A, due October 8. Details on the "Assignments" page.

September 17

Reading quiz!
Exploration: Zobel

Read pages 61-123 of Black Shack Alley.
Continue planning your first paper.
Continue work on your oral presentation!

September 22


Reading quiz!
Exploration: Zobel

Finish Black Shack Alley, pages 123-182.
Continue planning your first paper.
Continue work on your oral presentation!

September 24


Reading quiz!
Exploration: Zobel

Complete, polish and practice your oral presentation as a group.
Read the assigned stories in Krik? Krak!

September 29
Reading quiz!
ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Read the assigned stories in Krik? Krak!

October 1
Reading quiz!
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
 Read the assigned stories in Krik? Krak!
Finish paper A, due next Wednesday!
October 6
Reading quiz!
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
 Read the assigned stories in Krik? Krak!
October 8
Reading quiz!
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Paper A due today!
Read pages 3-39 of Solibo Magnificent by Patrick Chamoiseau.
October 13
Reading quiz!
Exploration: Chamoiseau
 Read pages 40-111 of Solibo Magnificent.
October 15
Reading quiz!
Exploration: Chamoiseau
 Finish Solibo Magnificent, pages 111-172.
October 20

Reading quiz!
Exploration: Chamoiseau

 Read pages 1-67 of Crossing the Mangrove by Maryse Condé.
Consider writing Paper B, due October 29. (If you didn't write Paper A, you must write papers B & C.) Details on the "Assignments" page.  
October 22
Reading quiz!
Exploration: Condé
 Read pages 68-140 of Crossing the Mangrove.
October 27
Reading quiz!
Exploration: Condé
 Read pages 141-208 of Crossing the Mangrove. Complete Paper B, due Wednesday, October 29. 

October 29

Reading quiz!
Paper B due today!
Exploration: Condé

Read pages 5-65 of Reflections of Loko-Miwa by Lilas Desquiron. Also, begin reading The Whistling Bird so you can pick a story for your final presentation.

November 3
Reading quiz!
Choice of days/texts for oral presentation.
Exploration: Desquiron
 Read pages 65-125 of Reflections of Loko-Miwa.
Begin meeting regularly with your group to plan your second presentation.
November 5
Reading quiz!
Exploration: Desquiron
 Read pages 125-183 of Reflections of Loko-Miwa by Lilas Desquiron.
Continue to plan your final paper.
Continue meeting regularly with your group to plan your second presentation.
November 10
Reading quiz!
Exploration: Desquiron
 Read pages 1-58 of Macadam Dreams.
Continue meeting regularly with your group to plan your second presentation.
If you didn't do both Papers A & B, you must write Paper C, due Monday, November 24. Details on the "Assignments" page.  
November 12
Reading quiz!
Exploration: Pineau
Read pages 59-138 of Macadam Dreams.
Continue meeting regularly with your group to plan your second presentation.
November 17
Reading quiz!
Exploration: Pineau
Read pages 139-215 of Macadam Dreams.
Continue meeting regularly with your group to plan your second presentation.
November 19

Reading quiz!
Exploration: Pineau

Continue meeting regularly with your group to plan your second presentation. Read the assigned stories in The Whistling Bird. Complete PAPER C, due Monday!
November 24
FILM & CARIBBEAN POTLUCK
Paper C due today!
Film TBA... Potluck = extra credit points!
November 26
NO CLASS
ENJOY THANKSGIVING!
December 1
Reading quiz!
ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Polish your oral presentation. Read the assigned stories in The Whistling Bird.
December 3
Reading quiz!
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
 Polish your oral presentation. Read the assigned stories in The Whistling Bird.
December 8
Reading quiz!
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
 Polish your oral presentation. Read the assigned stories in The Whistling Bird.
December 10
Reading quiz!
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Have a fabulous break!

OPTIONAL FINAL EXAM:
Monday, December 15 from 2pm to 3:50pm in our classroom.
(intended for those who are not happy with their overall quiz grades!)

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Page last updated July 28, 2008