Department of French Studies Archives - LA&PS Newsroom

French studies professor contributes to scholarly edition of 17th-century playwright’s works

efulton — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:16:12 +0000

Luke Arnason, an associate professor in 91��ɫ’s Department of French Studies, has contributed to the newly published, Complete Theatre of Thomas Corneille (vol. 8), released by in Paris.

The volume is part of an ongoing scholarly project dedicated to the works of 17th-century French playwright Thomas Corneille. While often overshadowed by his older brother, Pierre Corneille, Thomas was one of France's most successful dramatists and wrote extensively across genres, including opera libretti.

Arnason's contributions to the series focus on Corneille's operatic works. Alongside musicologist John S. Powell, professor emeritus at the University of Tulsa, Arnason co-wrote the introductions to �ʲ��⳦��é (1678) and ��é��Ǳ��ǲ� (1679), accompanying critical editions of the texts prepared by Jan Clarke, professor emeritus at Durham University.

Arnason is currently working on the introduction to ��é��é�� (1693), set to music by composer Marc-Antoine Charpentier, which is regarded today as one of the finest examples of French Baroque opera. That text will appear in volume 9 of the scholarly collection.

Luke Arnason received his PhD in Early Modern French Literature from the Université Paris-Sorbonne. His research interests include french, transition pedagogy, first-year experience, early French theatre and historical performance practice of theatre and music.

Learn more about the publication on the .

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French Studies professor helps build platform for French as a Second Language teachers in Ontario

efulton — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:23:28 +0000

91��ɫ professors have designed a knowledge-sharing platform to help address challenges faced by teachers of French as a Second Language (FSL) in Ontario.

The open resource sharing platform, titled K-12 Studios, allows FSL teachers to share and find useful French language material, helping reduce workload and burnout. The platform also enables users to share their lessons on approximately 80 different topics, and to connect with partners and other organizations.

Dominique Scheffel‑Dunand, associate professor of French studies, LA&PS, helped to support the development of the platform. The project was led by Glendon College professor Muriel Péguret.

Read the full story in YFile.��

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French professor nominated for APFUCC prize in French

efulton — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 19:20:47 +0000

Janusz Przychodzen, a professor in the Department of French Studies, was selected by the Canadian Association of University and College Teachers of French for the Association of Professors of French at Canadian Universities and Colleges (APFUCC) Prize.

The APFUCC Prizes are awarded annually, on a rotating basis. They recognize an article or book published in French and dealing with the French language, literatures or cultures, as well as the best presentation given at the APFUCC annual conference by a young researcher.��You can read his selected article on .

Learn more about the awards on the .

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French professor emerita Lélia Young receives poetry prize from Académie des Baobabs

efulton — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 17:00:35 +0000

Lélia Young, a retired professor in the Department of French Studies, has received the 2025 poetry prize from the Académie des Baobabs for her French-language collection Rupture et avènement. The Prize is awarded annually to the best novels and poetry collections from Africa and the diaspora.

Professor Emerita Young’s research has focused on linguistics, translation, francophone literary studies, poetry analysis and creative writing.

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Practice speaking conversational French at the French Café

efulton — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 14:32:31 +0000

Are you a student who is interested in practicing your French? Would you like to meet other French-speaking students in a casual and relaxed setting? The Department of French Studies is now hosting the French Café, open to LA&PS students of all French-speaking levels. The French Café is a student-led social event, twice per week, in the department’s student lounge.

Sessions are held in Ross N721 Tuesdays from 11:40 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 2:40 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Present your YU-card to participate.

Learn more about the French Café.

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Department of French Studies professor publishes novel set in WWII-era Normandy

efulton — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 18:11:39 +0000

Sergio Villani, professor emeritus, French studies, has published a historical fiction novel titled Love in Normandy 1943.

The novel is set on the coast of Normandy during the Second World War and post-war period. The novel focuses on an Austrian soldier in the German army and his relationships with several French citizens, examining cultural shifts and the resilience and adaptability of individuals during this period.

Sergio Villani received his PhD from Harvard University. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Research Development Fellowship at 91��ɫ and the Harvard University Scholarship from 1971-1975. His books, articles and papers have been widely published.

Love in Normandy 1943 was published by Les Éditions Albion Press.

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Professor emeritus Hédi Bouraoui publishes new book on his writing

efulton — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:26:29 +0000

Hédi Bouraoui, a retired professor from the Department of French Studies has published a book about his history as a writer titled, (Leaders Editions, 2025). Hédi Bouraoui is an acclaimed poet, novelist, essayist and scholar whose work has enriched Francophone literature and brought greater recognition to emerging voices. His new book offers an intimate reflection on his life, creative journey and literary legacy.

Bouraoui is the former chair of the Department of French Studies and is the author of twenty-eight books of poetry, sixteen novels, nine essay collections and several books of literary criticism. His research interests are contemporary critical theory, postcolonial Francophone literatures, including North African and Caribbean, and Franco-Ontarian literature. 

Read a review of his book by Chantal Danjou in .��

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French Studies Student Wins Lorna Marsden Prize for Creative Writing in French

tani18 — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 14:18:36 +0000

French Studies Student Wins Lorna Marsden Prize for Creative Writing in French

The Department of French Studies wishes to extend its warmest congratulations to Bryant Londono-Escobar for winning the Lorna Marsden Prize for Creative Writing in French for his poem, “Embrasser la symphonie de la nature” (Embracing the Symphony of Nature). The prize honours the best single creative work, of any genre, written in French by a 91��ɫ undergraduate. In addition to a monetary prize, Bryant will be honoured at an awards ceremony held on March 31^st, 2025. Pursuing double-major in kinesiology and health science, Bryant is also working toward a certificate of French language proficiency and is best known to members of the department as current president of the Association des Étudiants Francophones et Francophiles de 91��ɫ (AEFFY). Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, he hopes to study medicine with the goal of becoming a family doctor. Congratulations Bryant! The text of the poem is available below:

Étudiant du DEF remporte le prix Lorna Marsden pour la création littéraire en français

Le Département d’Études Françaises tient à féliciter chaleureusement Bryant Londono-Escobar, qui vient de remporter le prix Lorna Marsden pour la création littéraire en français pour son poème, « Embrasser la symphonie de la nature ». Le prix est décerné pour souligner la meilleure œuvre créative de tout genre littéraire écrite en français par un(e) étudiant(e) de premier cycle de 91��ɫ. En plus d’une récompense monétaire, Bryant est invité à une cérémonie de remise des prix qui se tiendra le 31 mars, 2025. Étudiant en kinésiologie et en sciences de la santé, Bryant compte également obtenir un certificat en langue française et est connu au DEF principalement comme président actuel de l’Association des Étudiants Francophones et Francophiles de 91��ɫ (AEFFY). À la conclusion de ses études de premier cycle, il espère entamer des études de médecine pour devenir médecin généraliste. Félicitations Bryant ! Le texte du poème est reproduit ci-dessous :

Embrasser la Symphonie de la Nature

…imaginez comment je me sentais, debout au sommet du rocher, le soleil chaleureux du Costa Rica caressant ma peau, la jungle luxuriante autour de moi vibrant de vie. En dessous, le courant de la rivière scintillait, un ruban bleu invitant serpentant à travers ce paysage intrépide. Mon cœur battait d’un mélange d’exaltation et de crainte, chaque battement résonnant avec le pouls de la nature sauvage qui m’entourait.

Le rocher sous mes pieds était solide, ancien, témoin silencieux d’innombrables sauts de foi. J’ai inspiré profondément, l’air riche des senteurs de la terre et des arbres, jouant avec le parfum subtil de la rivière. Chaque respiration semblait synchronisée avec le chant des oiseaux environnants, m’ancrant dans ce moment d’existence pure et brute.

Un dernier souffle. J’ai sauté et j’ai volé comme un colibri. Le temps s’est arrêté tandis que je planais, en apesanteur, flottant entre ciel et eau. Le monde semblait retenir son souffle avec moi, un silence parfait suspendant ma descente. Puis, un éclat, j’ai brisé la surface, l’étreinte froide de la rivière m’enveloppant, emportant toutes mes peurs.

Les courants doux de l’eau murmuraient des sons porteurs d’histoires anciennes, emportant ce qui restait de mes peurs. Tout ce qui restait était l’exaltation et un profond sentiment d’unité avec le monde naturel. La synchronicité des acclamations de mes camarades et des sons de la forêt tropicale formait un chœur vibrant, une célébration de mon petit triomphe.

Alors que je me tenais là, les cheveux dégoulinant d’eau, j’entendis un bruissement approcher. L’air était lourd de mots non dits, le bourdonnement de la jungle devenant un murmure lointain.

Puis le hibou sage dit : « Sais-tu le danger avec lequel tu as dansé, les ombres que tu as invitées? » Les voix étaient un mélange d’inquiétude et de reproche, comme le bruissement des feuilles dans une tempête naissante.

« L’étreinte de la nature n’est pas toujours douce, ni toujours indulgente, » poursuivit le hibou sage, sa voix comme un ruisseau murmurant, persistante et inflexible.

Je répondis au hibou sage, « Mais la rivière m’a appelé, son chant une symphonie de liberté et de courage.

Je devais répondre.

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Our Presence at the Cinéfranco Festival and the CIÉF World Congress

Sanja Begic — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:19:10 +0000

Professor Roxaneh Naghshi co-presented the films Nous, les LEROY and Ici et là-bas on November 3 and 9, 2024, respectively, at Cinéfranco, an annual international Francophone film festival in Toronto. Passionate about French culture, she regularly incorporates French literature and cinema into her innovative teaching approaches to create a dynamic and inclusive learning experience. On June 26, 2024, Roxaneh Naghshi also delivered a lecture titled "L’altérité dans No et moi de Delphine de Vigan" at the 38th CIÉF World Congress at the Université de Moncton.

Notre présence au festival Cinéfranco et au Congrès mondial du CIÉF

La professeure Roxaneh Naghshi a co-présenté, respectivement les 3 et 9 novembre 2024, les films Nous, les LEROY et Ici et là-bas lors du festival Cinéfranco, un événement annuel dédié au cinéma francophone international à Toronto. Passionnée par la culture française, elle intègre régulièrement la littérature et le cinéma français dans ses approches pédagogiques innovantes afin d’offrir un apprentissage dynamique et inclusif. Le 26 juin 2024, Roxaneh Naghshi a présenté une conférence intitulée « L’altérité dans No et moi de Delphine de Vigan » lors du 38ᵉ Congrès mondial du CIÉF à l’Université de Moncton.

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Artificial Intelligence and French Learning

Sanja Begic — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:17:31 +0000

On February 6, Professor Dominique Scheffel-Dunand delivered in French a lecture at the annual Franco-Ontarian forum of eCampus Ontario, titled “The AI Revolution: Adapting to and Adopting It Ethically and Responsibly to Transform French Learning in a Minority Context”. This conference aimed to explore how the postsecondary French language teaching sector—both in and of French—can optimize the integration and effective use of AI and emerging technologies in educational practices and institutions. This event is part of Professor Scheffel-Dunand’s many activities, which, among other things, included participation in several workshops this year on open education, the creation of open educational resources, and teacher training within Ontario school boards.

L’intelligence artificielle et l’apprentissage du français

La professeure Dominique Scheffel-Dunand a prononcé, le 6 février, une conférence lors du forum franco-ontarien annuel de eCampus Ontario, intitulée « La révolution IA : s’adapter et l’adopter avec éthique et responsabilité pour transcender l’apprentissage en français en contexte minoritaire ». Cette conférence visait à réfléchir à la manière dont le secteur de l’enseignement en et du français au postsecondaire peut optimiser l’intégration et l’utilisation efficaces de l’IA et des technologies émergentes dans les pratiques et les institutions. Cet événement s’inscrit parmi les nombreuses activités de la professeure Scheffel-Dunand qui, entre autres, a participé cette année à plusieurs ateliers portant sur l’éducation ouverte, la création de ressources éducatives libres et la formation des enseignants dans les conseils scolaires ontariens.

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