Knox French Professor Presents at International Conference

By Rana Tahir '13

Schahrazede Longou, assistant professor of modern languages and literature (French) at Knox College, presented a paper at the 25th Annual Francophone Studies International Colloquium (Congrès Annuel du Conseil International d'Études Francophones) in Aix-en-Provence, France.

The paper is titled, "Bataille sur deux fronts: Jeanne d'Arc, l'Algérienne des Djebels ou le Discours de la Résistance chez Leila Marouane." The English translation is, "Battle on Two Fronts: Joan of Arc, the Algerian of Djebels (the mountains) or the Discourse of Resistance in the Work of Leila Marouane."

The colloquium, which took place May 29-June 5, covered a variety of topics pertaining to the study of French-speaking nations.

Longou took an in-depth look at the writings of Leila Marouane, an Algerian journalist now living in exile in France who received threats from militant Islamist groups. Marouane's novels, written in French, often surround female lead characters based in Algeria who struggle against religious norms, oppression, and patriarchy to gain equal social status and rights.

Longou acted as secretary of the "Violence, appartenance et résistance" ("Violence, belonging, and resistance") portion of the colloquium.

A member of the Knox College faculty since 2008, Longou received her master's and Ph.D. degrees in French literature and Francophone world studies from the University of Iowa. Some of her teaching interests include the 20th century French novel, literature and films by writers and filmmakers of North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia), and Algerian women writers.