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A Seminar Cycle on Africa
Un cycle de séminaires sur l’Afrique
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:02:25
Abstract
Through this cycle of seminars, we will conduct a journey through black African literature written in French, from its origins to its main subjects, including the western perception of this literary creation.
Objective
This will lead, at the end of the cycle, to wider perspectives, such as the questions that arise today, on the presence of Black people in France - and beyond - in Europe.
Content
In seminar cycle, we will conduct a journey through black African literature written in French, from its origins to its main subjects, including the western perception of this literary creation. This will lead, at the end of the cycle, to wider perspectives, such as the questions that arise today, on the presence of Black people in France - and beyond - in Europe. (More information on: https://francais.ethz.ch/ ) Friday, November 11th 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lesson 1: The origins of French-speaking African literature French colonial literature gave birth to the so-called "littérature ‘nègre’", which would later claim a word that was forbidden or confiscated by the West, allowed sometimes under the guardianship or under the cover of a certain cultural alienation, until the frank rupture born with the "négritude", this current that, in the interwar period, exalted the pride of being black and the heritage of African civilizations. 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Seminar 1: Guest Sami Tchak, Togolese writer, Grand Prix littéraire d'Afrique noire Friday, November 18th 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lesson 2: Themes of contemporary African literature This will be an evocation of the major subjects of the African novel, including the pre-colonial period, the colonial painting, the illusions of the African independence and especially the birth of the ‘immigration novel’. 2:00 - 4:30 pm Seminar 2: Guest Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, Senegalese writer, Prix Goncourt Friday, November 25th 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lesson 3: On the Western perception of African literature The representation and popularization of African literature in the West sometimes undergoes a kind of "ghettoization". African literature is then perceived as a distant island. Western publishers, as well as literary critics, compete for ingredients that would illustrate Africa according to them and that they expect from authors of the African continent. One finds traces of this trend even on the covers of books. 2:00 - 4:30 pm Seminar 3: Guest Charlyne Effa, Gabonese novelist Friday, December 16th 9:30am-12:30pm Lesson 4: From Africa to France: Screening of "Noirs en France” On January 18, 2022, the documentary "Noirs en France" (Black people in France), which I co-wrote with Aurélia Perreau, was screened in France on the France 2 channel. The success of this work illustrates how much the "question of being black" still remains a taboo subject. This is an opportunity to screen this film and to open the discussion with the authors. 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Seminar 4: Guest Aurélia Perreau, co-author of the documentary " Noirs en France ". NB. The names of the guests in the seminars might change.
General Information
- Language
- French
- Levels
- DS
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Un cycle de séminaires sur l’Afrique |
|
28 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Science in Perspective (In “Science in Perspective”-courses students learn to reflect on ETH’s STEM subjects from the perspective of humanities, political and social sciences. Only the courses listed below will be recognized as "Science in Perspective" courses.)
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Type A: Enhancement of Reflection Competence (SiP courses are recommended for bachelor students after their first-year examination and for all master- or doctoral students. All SiP courses are listed in Type A. Courses listed under Type B are only recommendations for enrollment for specific departments.)
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