Intersectionality in Practice: A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Teaching Feminism from a Francophone Perspective in the USA

This presentation will focus on my approach to teaching Feminism and Patriarchy in a General Education course on Francophone cultures, with an emphasis on the integration of intersectionality throughout the course. I will share insights from students’ experiences and reflections on how feminist themes related to race, gender, and class resonate within the context of Francophone literature and film. The course is organized into four modules, each examining key feminist theories and their application in different Francophone settings. In Module 1, students reflect on historical portrayals of women, from Christine de Pizan to Baudelaire, through weekly journals and comparative essays. Module 2 explores the condition of women in literature and film, where students analyze Madame Bovary and Boule de Suif. In Module 3, students engage with feminist writing, focusing on the works of Hélène Cixous and Assia Djebar, while creating multimedia projects that explore feminist literary techniques. The final module, which centers on intersectionality, invites students to analyze contemporary films like Xala and Bande de filles to examine the intersections of race, gender, and class. Through assignments such as intersectionality diaries, critical film reviews, and an informational poster project, students engage with these themes in depth, gaining a comprehensive understanding of feminist theory. I will also share how this approach fosters critical thinking, self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of intersectionality among students. Through their engagement with both historical and contemporary texts, students have been able to draw connections between feminist discourse in the Francophone world and modern social issues. By highlighting their insights, I will demonstrate how this course structure empowers students to critically analyze gender, race, and class, while appreciating the global relevance of feminist perspectives. This presentation will offer valuable lessons for integrating intersectionality into the classroom and illustrating its impact on students’ intellectual and personal growth.