Patricia-Pia Celerier

Associate Professor of French

Patricia Célérier received her doctorate from Paris IV-Sorbonne, France.

She teaches in the The Department of French and Francophone Studies as well as in the Africana Studies and Women's Studies programs. She serves on the Africana and Women's Studies steering committees, advises students and directs theses in French, Africana, and the Independent program.

Her field of research and publication is French-speaking African Literatures and Cultures. She is the author of many articles (postface, article reviews, etc.) on this topic. She frequently lectures and chairs sessions and roundtables on African literatures.

Her latest article, "Engagement et esthétique du cri" was published in Notre Librairie 148 (September 2002). Another article, "The Purpose of Violence in African Literature", is forthcoming in Research in African Literature.

Prof. Célérier is currently at work on a joint book project with Prof. Odile Cazenave (M.I.T. ) entitled, Engaging Literature: New Forms of Political
Commitment in Contemporary African Literature. Prof. Célérier directed the Vassar Wesleyan Junior Year Abroad program in Paris in 98-99 and will do so again next academic year (2003-2004).