Title: Associate Professor of French and Francophone Studies
Department: Modern Languages and Literatures
Faculty bio page: modlang.unl.edu/dr-julia-frengs
How and why did you choose your field?
I chose my field because nothing makes me happier than to read a good book and talk about it with people who also enjoyed that book. I love hearing students become passionate about literature, discovering things I might not have considered, and getting excited to discuss the works we read together. I grew up speaking French and loving literature, and although I enjoyed other subjects while in school, I couldn't find anything I wanted to do more than teach literature. After my MA in French at the University of Oklahoma, I wanted to continue studying Caribbean women's literature. But, after a move to Hawaii for my husband's job, I discovered the literature of Mā'ohi Nui (French Polynesia) and Kanaky (New Caledonia). The works from these regions are so fascinating, engaged, powerful...so that was that! I began my dissertation work on women's literature from the Oceanian region and after almost 15 years, I haven't stopped becoming excited about the amazing works continually being published from Oceania.
What research have you conducted?
I am currently working on a book about environmental literature of the French-speaking Indian Ocean and Oceania (the South Pacific). In this book, I examine ecofeminist literary engagements, detective fiction that has an environmental element (the éco-polar), environmental justice issues in both regions, and literary depictions of urban spaces. I analyze the works of a variety of authors from the two regions through an environmental lens. These authors don't always deal with "climate change" per se, but they do offer helpful insights into the climate crisis and environmental violence in creative and imaginative ways, and they provoke critical thinking about a problem that is both local and global.
What classes have you taught?
One of my favorite courses to teach is French 387, "Environmental Literature of the French-Speaking World." It is actually the only course I teach in English, and is available for students in any discipline to take. This course examines environmental literature, originally written in French but in translation, from places such as Algeria, Martinique (a Caribbean island), Réunion (an Indian Ocean island), Québec, Tahiti, and France. In this course students read and discuss literature, of course, but they also do an "ethnographic study" in which they examine how a chosen environment (on campus or around Lincoln) changes over the course of the semester. They also do "creative projects" in which they imagine creative solutions to environmental problems. In the past, students have designed green walls, environmental projects they could do with students at the elementary school level, and have conceptualized art murals, to name a few examples of the work students do in this class.
How do you work with students outside of classes?
I serve on several doctoral dissertation and MA thesis committees at the graduate level, and I am also frequently an advisor to honors theses at the undergraduate level. I have worked as an advisor through the Environmental Studies program, as well.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love spending time with my son and husband, doing yoga, cycling classes, and "core and more" workouts, and walking my two crazy dogs. I cook A LOT, which is good because I also like to eat, and I enjoy spending time outside (when the weather behaves!). I also enjoy outdoor concerts in the summer.
