Faculty/Staff Detail

Robert Ponterio, Modern Languages Department, presented a session titled “Teaching French Culture through Literature” at the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT) annual convention in on Oct. 22 in Syracuse, N.Y. The session examined the use of literary text for the exploration of French cultural themes in their historical context and in their connections to today’s world both in France and in the U.S. Topics included the treatment of women in society in medieval France and today; the treatment of refugees in Victor Hugo, 1980’s France, and Calais; critical views of France in the occupation through film; and Romanticism in song from the 1780’s to Elvis Presley. Online lesson plans were provided to help teachers integrate the topics into their curricula. All presentation materials are available online: http://web.cortland.edu/flteach/wksp/nysaflt2016.html