Why do I have the audacity to advice students of all majors to take this class? I have made it, believe me, it's one of the reasons I have enjoyed my degree at Daystar University.
Can anyone imagine that this is an exam? Yeah I thought so, you think I am just bluffing. I am serious, this course has no written exam, just blog posts and you have your grade.
Enough of the trivial matters. Let me explain why I chose this course. I added this course as a filler to complete my hours. I needed to graduate and I had free electives hours to cover. My late addition not withstanding, thanks to Dr. Wandia, the HOD of Languages and Performing Arts at Daystar University. I didn't know of the fun that was in store for me through the semester.
All foodies in the house, can I hear an an amen. This is the course for you. We cooked and sampled cuisine from different Francophone countries. This course even made some of us better cooks. You can just peruse the different articles on this blog written under cuisine, to get a feel of what I am saying.
This is one of the coolest class you will ever find. Can anyone tell me, when was the last time you took a selfie with your lecturer? At FRE 124, we were so free with our lecturer. Dr. Wandia Njoya took the four of us through the course just the same way she would handle a full class.
Yes that was the whole class. Where are the students to take this class? You do not know what you are missing out on.
Any student claiming to have passed through an African University should have some knowledge of African history. This class gave a wealth of knowledge on Negritude, the colonization of francophone Africa and of course Haiti. After every class, I had the desire to read more African history.
https://books.google.co.ke/books/about/The_Wretched_of_the_Earth.html?id=-XGKFJq4eccC&hl=en
Patrice Lumumba and
Léopold Senghor are part of the interesting topics of discussion.
We were even nominated for the blog awards by BAKE. This time we did not clinch the title but who knows, maybe if you join this blog might be the next best education blog.
Finally, I am not a linguistic major. My major is Public Relations, which is why I haven't mastered my French. This course is taught in English one gets to learn french on the way as you interact with French terms. Actually regardless of your major, you need some cultural classes because the world is shrinking into a village.
All the best as you make your choice for the coming semesters. Look out for FRE 124. Remember that no pre-requisites are needed to register.
Introduction to the Francophone World
Monday, May 25, 2015
Paris Tourism 101
The mention of France could not be
complete without talking about Paris. This is the
capital and most-populous city of France.
Paris is divided
into districts known as arrondissements. They are 20 in total, with each
having a major tourist attraction.
The first one is in the center, the following ones spiral outwards in a
clock-wise direction.
They are as
follows:
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This
is the least populated of the twenty arrondissements in Paris. It is at the
geographical center of Paris, hence the area is crammed with historic sights.
The Louvre Museum, Royal Palace, Tuileries gardens, Forum des Halles, Bourse du Commerce and the
upscale Vendôme Square are all located here. The 1st
arrondissement also comprises the western tip of the Île de la Cité, including the magnificent Sainte-Chapelle and the Conciergerie.
It
is primarily a business district, with the Palais de la Bourse - the former
stock exchange - as its most notable landmark. Another important building in
the smallest of Paris's arrondissements is the historic National Library. A
modern expansion of the library is located in the 13th arrondissement. The
second arrondissement is also home to a number of historic
shopping arcades.
It
contains the northern part of the historic Marais district. The Conservatoire
National des Arts et Métiers (with the Museum of Arts and Crafts, a technology museum),
the Picasso Museum and the Carnavalet Museum - devoted to the history
of Paris – are also located here.
The
4th arrondissement contains the southern part of the medieval Marais district
as well as the Île St-Louis and the eastern part of Île de la Cité, the oldest part of Paris. This
area is very popular thanks to attractions such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Place des Vosges, the city hall and the Gothic Tour St-Jacques. Contrasting with all the
historic buildings is the modern Centre Pompidou.
The
Latin Quarter, with the renowned Sorbonne University, is situated in this
arrondissement. The area's popular avenue, the Boulevard St-Michel, marks the
border with the 6th arrondissement. The most famous sight in the 5th
arrondissement is the Panthéon,
but there are many other noteworthy sights such as the magnificent Val-de-Grâce
church, the intriguing St-Etienne-du-Mont church, the Cluny Museum, the roman-era Arènes de Lutèce and the Jardin des Plantes, the city's botanical garden
which is home to the Natural History Museum.
One
of the world's greatest parks, the Jardin du Luxembourg, makes this arrondissement
popular with locals and visitors alike. The 6th arrondissement also contains a
number of landmarks like the Odéon Theatre and the Saint Sulpice church, which sports two towers
with a different design. Another important church in this arrondissement is the
11th century Saint-Germain des Prés, the oldest abbey church
in Paris. The church is at the heart of the namesake neighborhood, which is one
of the most popular areas to stay in for visitors to Paris.
Government
institutions and major landmarks dominate this upscale arrondissement. The most
famous of these landmarks is the Eiffel Tower, drawing millions of visitors each
year. Other important tourist draws are the Invalides - with its museums and Napoleon's tomb - and three more museums:
the Musée d'Orsay, the Musée Rodin and the Musée du Quai Branly, which is dedicated to
non-European cultures. The Palais Bourbon (National Assembly), École
Militaire (Military School) and the UNESCO headquarters can also be found in
the 7th arrondissement.
Another
arrondissement loaded with tourist attractions. The Champs-Élysées - probably the world's most
famous boulevard - cuts through this arrondissement from the Place de la Concordeto the Arc de Triomphe. Bordering the Champs-Élysées are the magnificent Grand Palais and Petit Palais, as well as the Élysée, the
presidential Palace. The arrondissement also features the temple-like Madeleine church and the romantic Monceau Park.
A
multifaceted arrondissement, with prestigious boulevards in the south and the
not so prestigious- Pigalle area - a red light district - in the north. Pigalle
does attract its share of tourists though thanks to the nearby Moulin Rouge (18th arr). Just as famous, but
located in the south part of the 9th arrondissement, is the former Opéra Garnier, a magnificent opera house. Nearby
is the Galeries Lafayette, a well-known department
store. The majestic Sainte-Trinité church is also located in this arrondissement.
Two
of Paris's main railway stations - the Gare de l'Est and Gare du Nord - can be found here. This is a
down to earth arrondissement with the Canal Saint-Martin and the neoclassical
Saint-Vincent-de-Paul churches as some its most interesting sights.
It
is a very low profile arrondissement, mostly residential. The Oberkampf
district in the north is better known for its nightlife than its landmarks, but
it does contain the Cirque d'Hiver (winter circus) and the St.
Ambroise church.
The
large Bastille Opera can be found in this mostly residential area, as well as
the Bercy Stadium and the nearby modern Bercy Park. The arrondissement is bordered by the
expansive Vincennes Park on the east.
It
is a largely residential neighborhood with the modern National Library as its most significant
landmark. Another interesting complex is the Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, an expansive
hospital complex with an imposing chapel. The 13th arrondissement is also home
to the city's largest Chinatown.
Here we have a lively arrondissement, especially
around the Montparnasse Boulevard, where the Tour Maine Montparnasse (located in the
adjacent 15th arrondissement) dominates the skyline. Not far from this
skyscraper is the Montparnasse Cemetery, where many famous French
citizens are buried. Popular tourist attractions in this arrondissement are the
catacombs, which can be accessed at the Denfert-Rochereau square. The
observatory of Paris nearby gave the 14th arrondissement its name.
This
is the largest of the twenty arrondissements in Paris, both in size and
population. The tallest skyscraper in the center of Paris, Tour Maine Montparnasse is located here.
The Parc André Citroën in the west is one of
Paris's most interesting modern parks.
Even
if the 7th arrondissement may be even more exclusive, the 16th arrondissement
has the reputation of being the richest, and only the better-off are able to
pay the high rents here. The arrondissement is bordered by the enormous
Boulogne Park to the west. A big draw is the Palais de Chaillot, from where you can have a
great view of the Eiffel Tower. The Palais de Chaillot is also home to several
museums and a theater. The Musée Guimet, a museum with a collection of Asian
art and the Palais de Tokyo, home to modern art, can be found
nearby. Another notable museum is the Musée Marmottan, with a collection of
impressionist art.
This
is a diverse arrondissement, bordering the grand boulevards in the south and
the lowly Pigalle neighborhood in the north. The Palais des Congrès, a large
convention center, is located at the western tip of the arrondissement.
Montmartre, the once bohemian and still
village-like district is often inundated with tourists. The Sacré-Coeur basilica and the Place du Tertre
are the biggest tourist draws. Another famous sight here is the Moulin Rouge, located at the border of the 9th
arrondissement.
Sacré-Coeur basilica Courtesy of
http://pariznavikend.cezweb.eu/sk/pamatky/sacre-coeur
|
|
Arrondissement 19 -
Buttes-Chaumont
|
One
of Paris's most interesting parks, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, is in the middle of
this large arrondissement. Another, more modern park, the Parc de la Villette, contains the city's
popular science museum.
This
mostly residential, cosmopolitan arrondissement has no real attractions but it
still gets its fair share of tourists thanks to the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise, the most famous
cemetery in Paris.
Fine Dining
Mentioning
all these features of Paris and leaving the best part would be an injustice. Paris is home to the best restaurants.
There are shops that specialize in different things. This is how serious the French are with their culinary skills.
·
Boulangerie is a bakery where all
kinds of bread are sold. Some of the baked goods you can find in a boulangerie
are croissants and baguettes,
·
Patisseries are shops where French
pastries are made and sold.
·
Cavistes- A French wine shop. A
French meal is never complete without a glass of good wine.
·
Fromageries are cheese shops where
all kinds of cheese can be found.
Fromagerie
courtesy of
http://patronsaintofcheese.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-cheese-shops-of-paris.html
|
The
Paris Metro
Métro
is the abbreviated name of the company that originally operated most of the
network: La Compagnie du chemin de fer métropolitain de Paris ("The Paris Metropolitan Railway Company"),
shortened to "Le Métropolitain". That was quickly abbreviated
to métro, which became a common word to designate all subway
networks (or any rapid
transit system) in
France or in many cities elsewhere.
This
is one of the fastest ways to travel through Paris. An important tool to master
before visiting Paris is the Metro map, to know your connections from one point
to another.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Why on earth are you not taking FRE124?
By
now you must be wondering, “Why is this guy so insistent on us taking this
French course? I don’t even speak French!” Well let me tell you why. I am a
student of language and I am always fascinated at the prospects of learning a
new language. However, knowledge of a language in itself does no one any good
if you do not understand the culture of the people that speak that language.
The French culture is a big part of history and for any one to appreciate and
enjoy the language; one must dive into the depths of the very rich French
culture.
I
have studied French as my third language since my first year in high school and
I have never come close to understanding what the big deal about French was
apart from it being famous as the language of love until I took this class.
Introduction
to French Culture was an amazing and unique class experience. It was a pleasant
shift from the normal _ teacher dictating notes in front of the class _ to a
more interactive more engaging learning experience.
When
I talk about engaging I am not kidding! This is what stood out for me in this
class: THE FOOD!
It
was the first time in my life that I had to cook a dish as an assignment; I got
the most awkward when I told my friends I was “cooking an assignment” not to
mention the fact that it was a Haitian dish. I will take this opportunity to
tell you that I tasted my first pork dish in this class which was among my many
food fantasies along with, believe it or not, Escargots.
Getting
to learn about the history, fashion, music and cuisine of most of the
Francophone countries has been an eye opener first of all to the misconceptions
about the French and call to appreciation of a culture rich in taste flavor,
music and colour.
At
the end of the day, learning extensively about the French culture gave me a better
platform from which I could use the French language and YES, this class will do
a great deal in helping you speak better French because then you will have something
to talk about, which is the whole essence of language.
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