Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - FREN 455 D100

Special Topics in Indigenous Literatures in French and Translation (3)

Cult. pop. & nouv. médias

Class Number: 4789

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    FREN 245 and FREN 301W and at least one 300-level FREN literature course.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Advanced study of selected works of Indigenous literature and film in French and in translation. Topics will vary but may include popular culture and new media. The course may be repeated once with departmental approval and if taught with a different topic.

COURSE DETAILS:


Ce cours sera consacré à l’examen des littératures autochtones contemporaines et populaires, notamment le roman policier, la bande-dessinée, la fiction spéculative et l’érotisme. Nous explorerons également comment les productions littéraires influencent la production cinématographique, l'animation et la réalité virtuelle. Jusqu’à présent, les théories conventionnelles des études culturelles ou de la culture populaire ne tiennent pas compte des spécificités historiques et politiques de ce type de productions. En nous appuyant sur des outils conceptuels issus de la théorie critique autour des productions littéraires et artistiques autochtones, nous considérerons les questions suivantes : Comment de telles interventions interrogent-elles les attentes et les conventions génériques ? Comment permettent-elles d’aller au-delà des écarts linguistiques et générationnels ? Comment les théories critiques littéraires et culturelles existantes pourraient-elles être appliquées et adaptées à ces nouveaux médias ?

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Presentation 15%
  • Film response 15%
  • Midterm 25%
  • Final paper 35%

NOTES:


There is no final examination for FREN 455 D100 in Spring 2026.

NOTE re AI
Please note that submissions that employ generative AI tools in this course (for idea generation or other purposes) are not accepted. Your grade in this course is meant to reflect your personal engagement with course materials. If you are ever unsure about your instructor's stance on generative AI, please be sure to ask before submitting work using generative AI tools. Those who employ these tools in their course submissions may face disciplinary action in accordance with SFU's academic integrity policies. For more details, pleas consult https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/academic-integrity/using-generative-ai.html

COPYRIGHT
Materials included in this course, unless otherwise stated, have been created by the Instructor, and reproducing or using this material outside of this course is not permitted unless written consent has been provided by the owner of this material. The course-based Canvas page and its related resources are maintained and developed by the Instructor for the use of the students registered to take this course. Course materials such as PowerPoint slides, lecture notes, the lecture itself and exams are all protected by copyright. Recording, copying or sharing these materials without permission may be a violation of Canadian copyright law and SFU policies. This means that you are legally not permitted to circulate the course materials to any other entity without explicit permission from the course author.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Les œuvres suivantes sont disponibles au Bookstore de SFU, à la réserve de cours de la bibliothèque, ou à l'achat via le site Leslibraires.ca:

J.D. Kurtness. Aquariums. L’instant même, 2019

Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau. L’amant du lac. Mémoire d’encrier, 2013

Cherie Dimaline. Les pilleurs de rêves. Boréal, 2019 (trad. par Madeleine Stratford)

David A. Robertson. 7 générations. Plaines, 2013 (2 volumes) (trad. par Diane Lavoie)

Skawennati. TimeTravellerTM (2008-2013) (en ligne)

Jeff Barnaby. Rimes pour revenants. Prospector Films, 2013 (en ligne via SFU)

* Des lectures supplémentaires seront nécessaires sur une base hebdomadaire. Il est important que vous lisiez celles-ci en conjonction avec les œuvres ci-dessus. Celles-ci seront mises à disposition en ligne sur CANVAS.


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

 

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.