Water Changes a Community - Haiti

In the last two stories that we have read ("Pluie" / "La Maison face à la mer"), the theme of water has played a very important role. Watch the following video clip about water in Haiti. What is the importance of water in this community? What problems are associated with a lack of clean water? What are the positive effects of bringing clean water to this community?

Au Revoir Les Enfants - Louis Malle

Watch the video clip taken from Louis Malle's film. Au Revoir les Enfants. What is the significance of this scene? Discuss.

Assia Djebar - One step further

In her work "Il n'y a pas d'exil", Assia Djebar created an Algeria universe based on her own experience. Watch the video clip, then answer the following question:

In your opinion, how is the Algerian War an unresolved issue?

What kind of writer was Jacques Ferron?

Click on the link and then watch the video clip and answer the following questions:

What American Southern writer did he admire?

What kind of writer was Jacques Ferron?

What types of works did he write?

http://archives.radio-canada.ca/IDC-0-72-1636-11272/arts_culture/jacques_ferron/clip1

Samuel Beckett - Do you get it?

Beckett's dramatic works are as well known for their creativity as for their unusual nature. Beckett followed Acte sans paroles-I with Acte sans paroles-II. Watch this video clip and explain in your own words what the "play" Acte sans paroles-II is about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCf515excHA

Page d'ecriture

Watch the video clip (it is in Italian) and answer the following questions:

1. How is this video interpretation faithful to the original poem?

2. How is the video original?

3. How does this video reflect the importance of Prevert's poem?

Colette - L'autre femme

We watched this clip in class today. Watch it again and discuss how it reflects the students' perspective on the importance of Colette.

Le pont Mirabeau-Marc Lavoine (2001)

After reading Apollinaire's poem "Le Pont Mirabeau", watch the video clips and answer the following questions:

1. What is the significance of the Pont Mirabeau?
2. How does Marc Lavoine's song reflect the continued importance of Apollinaire's 1913 poem?


Sous le pont Mirabeau coule la Seine
Et nos amours
Faut-il qu'il m'en souvienne
La joie venait toujours après la peine
Vienne la nuit sonne l'heure
Les jours s'en vont je demeure
Les mains dans les mains restons face à face
Tandis que sous
Le pont de nos bras passe
Des éternels regards l'onde si lasse
Vienne la nuit sonne l'heure
Les jours s'en vont je demeure
L'amour s'en va comme cette eau courante
L'amour s'en va
Comme la vie est lente
Et comme l'Espérance est violente
Vienne la nuit sonne l'heure
Les jours s'en vont je demeure
Passent les jours et passent les semaines
Ni temps passé
Ni les amours reviennent
Sous le pont Mirabeau coule la Seine
Vienne la nuit sonne l'heure
Les jours s'en vont je demeure

"Le Pont Mirabeau"
Apollinaire, Alcools (1913)

What do you think of French poetry?

So, we have read a couple of French poems.... What do you think about French poetry? How is it different that other types of poetry that you have read before? Please discuss.

What is the importance of tales?

Up to this point, you have read two French tales: Le Laustic by Marie de France and Melusine by Jean d'Arras. In your opinion, what is the importance of tales? Why are tales a part of every literary tradition? What does this tales tell you about French society and culture from the 12th-14 centuries? Discuss.

Voyage littéraire

Welcome to FREN202. This blog space serves as a springboard for your readings as well as for our class discussions. I will be placing things on the blog page for you to read, to explore, and to contemplate after every class period. As a student in the course, you are responsible for logging on to and posting to the blog page after every class. This is the only forum where the use of English is permitted! In class, we will speak French exclusively. I hope that you will find that this format contributes to your learning experience in this course.

Question of the day (please post) : How can you learn to read in a foreign language? What techniques do you think would be effective in developing better reading ability?