FRE 3307 - Colonial Desire

Credits: 4
This course critically examines the complex notion of “colonial desire” through an overview of the history of French colonization from the perspective of the colonizer as well as the colonized. Focusing on key moments in French history and their socio-political, economic, and cultural ramifications, we will trace the spread of French colonial rule from the first French colony in the New World to the French Caribbean,
Indian Ocean, Africa, South East Asia, and French Polynesia. We will also consider various reactions to the colonial encounter, ranging from assimilation to violent and non-violent methods of resistance. This resistance essentially led to the gradual falling apart of the French Empire, with former colonies claiming their independence while other colonies opted for a status as overseas departments and territories. Discussion will be based on essays, engravings, novels, plays, movies, documentaries, and comics from the colonial, neo-colonial, and post-colonial era.
McDaniel Plan: International Nonwestern, Social, Cultural, and Historical Understanding