Wabash Valley College issued the following announcement on Sept. 19.
Wabash Valley College is pleased to announce that a most interesting and unique class is being offered again for Fall Semester, “Illinois French and the Creole Corridor Experience.”
Explore the beginnings of our Midwestern region through the folklore, songs, and language of the original settlers who founded many of our towns and cities in the region: The French. This class is offered by a premier scholar of the historic French Midwest, Dennis Stroughmatt. Stroughmatt is an internationally respected authority on the history, culture, and language of the Illinois French with honors from the Library of Congress, The Smithsonian, The State of Missouri Historical Society, The Illinois Humanities Council, and the American Association of Teachers of French.
Students are invited to learn the unique nature of Illinois French music, language, and history from a different perspective through experiential learning and cultural interaction. Students will encounter history as it comes alive with “in-class” interaction, a heavy focus on learning the 300-year-old Illinois French dialect, and site visits to some of the region’s popular French Creole destinations, including “The Jewel of North America,” Sainte Genevieve, MO and a live performance of Dennis Stroughmatt’s “L’Esprit Creole” at The Focal Point Theater in St. Louis, MO. That special travel date is set for Saturday, October 27. Other tentative travel dates include October 21 or November 11. Tuesday evening class meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. on September 25 and continue until November 6. Space is limited for this class, so interested individuals are asked to call 618-262-8641 as soon as possible, or stop by the Student Services Office to reserve their seat.
Original source can be found here.
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