FRENCH 440: Cartography & Empire

In this course, students will learn to think critically about representations of the world. We will ask: What political purposes do maps serve? How can we tease out a map's agenda from its details? Through an in-depth analysis of cartographic artifacts, students will gain a nuanced understanding of how maps were not only used as tools for navigation and territorial expansion but also as instruments of cultural representation, power, and identity. The course will progress thematically and chronologically, with a focus on the French colonial period and representations of the peoples and cultures that constituted the French colonial empire. Students will also hone their critical thinking skills by analyzing maps and other documents. In the process, they will explore the history of the Francophone world. Students will have the opportunity to write a paper suitable for the Writing Proficiency Requirement Portfolio.