Topics in French Culture: Zombies, Vampires, and Spirits in the Francophone Caribbean

Before horror movies, television series, and graphic novels, zombies were part of a tradition of Caribbean folklore. The figure of the zombie finds its roots in colonial Haiti where enslaved Africans found meaning in a mythical figure who no longer possessed its own body but belonged to others, instead. Spirits, magic, and sorcery are also indelible parts of the same folk traditions to which the zombie belongs in Guadeloupe, Haiti, and Martinique. This course will expose students to the cultural histories of zombies, vampires, spirits and spiritual practice in the French Caribbean through film, literature, and contemporary Caribbean art. We will pay particular attention to how these figures and histories work to undo and question legacies of colonialism, racial capitalism, sexism, homophobia, and everyday political violence. This course satisfies the In-Depth requirement. Prereq: In-Perspective.
Course Attributes: BU IS

Topics in French Culture: Zombies, Vampires, and Spirits in the Francophone Caribbean

FRENCH 5501

Section 01