Department of French & Italian

The Department of French and Italian at Tulane University offers a comprehensive program of study that reflects our commitment to cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approaches. Our Department builds on the historical identity of New Orleans as a center of Francophone and Caribbean culture and as the hub of one of America's oldest Italian communities.

Directors and Advisors

Fayҫal Falaky, Department Chair    
Thomas Klingler, Director of Undergraduate Studies, French    
Chelsea Stieber, Director of Graduate Studies, French
Charles Mignot, Director of French Language Program    
Annette Sojic, Director of Professional French Program    
Michael Syrimis, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Italian    
Elena Daniele, Director of Italian Language Program    
Sanela Frasch, Administrative Operations Manager

Course Spotlight: Introductory Haitian Creole

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Lecture by Prof. Odile Hamot, UFR des Humanités caribéennes Université des Antilleson Please join us on MONDAY, November 4 at 5:30pm in 202 RECHLER ROOM IN LBC for a lecture (followed by a reception) by Prof. Odile Hamot, UFR des Humanités caribéennes Université des Antilleson on LA FABRIQUE D’UN MYTHE IDENTITAIRE La mulâtresse Solitude, une héroïne guadeloupéenne This lecture is in French. History of the West Indies in general, and Guadeloupe in particular, oscillates between historical facts and fictions. How does a simple myth become a definitive history that inspires heroes and political action? How is a myth created? What are the components of the myth of Mulâtresse Solitude, a character who inspired novels of authors such as André Schwarz-Bart and his wife Simone, as well as most accounts of the Resistance in Guadeloupe? How did the myth of Solitude come about, and how do we know she ever really lived? The key question to be addressed in this talk is the relationship between myth and history on the one hand, and on the other, how a myth takes on a body in literature, painting, and even political discourse, to the point where it presents itself with the mask of history. The main aim of this talk is to examine the relationship between Literature and Memory, History and Memory, and Fiction and History.
Come join us for a talk on Haiti and Black Internationalism co-sponsored by the Department of History, the Stone Center for Latin American studies, the Cuban and Caribbean studies Institute and the Kathryn B. Gore Chair in French this Wednesday, October 23 in Jones Hall 100 (Greenleaf room) at 5:30 pm!
Join us for a conversation on Haitian literature and history with author Evelyne Trouillot and translator Marjorie Salvodan (via Zoom), moderated by Nadève Ménard, 3:30–5pm. Howard Tilton Memorial Library B07. This conversation will be held in French.
Join us for a lecture, sponsored by the Kathryn B. Gore Chair in French given by Prof. Elizaveta Strakhov, Ph.D associate professor of English at Marquette University on the title of Secrets upon Secrets: the European tradition of Aristotles Purported Advice to King Alexander. It will be taking place on Thursday, October 17th at 3pm in Norman Meyer room 200B
Join us Friday, October 18 for a virtual discussion with the editors of the independent French publishing house, Éditions Ròt-Bò-Krik. They will discuss their focus on translating critical Black Studies literature, and their interest in Guyanese anticolonialism and the textile designs of William Morris. We’ll be joined by some of the authors they have published, including Annette Joseph-Gabriel (Duke), Brent Hayes Edwards (Columbia) and Grégory Pierrot (UConn). This will be part one of a two-part series; an in-person symposium will take place in April of 2025. Zoom registration link: https://tulane.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0rc-iurzItE9SxvdYx5NmuJHMB0_Rwaj1H
Join us at the Association for French Language Studies conference in the LBC this Wednesday September 25th through Friday September 27th! The theme for the conference is Laissez les bon(s) temps rouler: French and Creoles, between Heritage(s) and Prospect(s). There will be talks given in both French and English. See you there! Rejoignons-nous à la conférence de l’Association for French Language Studies en le LBC du mercredi 25 septembre au vendredi 27 septembre ! Le thème de la conférence est Laissez les bon(s) temps rouler : Français et Creoles, entre héritage(s) et avenir(s) Les conférences seront données en français et en anglais.