Department of Romance Studies

Upcoming Events

Interested in ROMS events? Please check this page often! You are also invited to join one or all of our Google Groups in French and Francophone, Hispanic and Italian Studies by using the ROMS sign-up sheet. Thank you and welcome!

poster for FREN play tu seras un homme papa. text is same is at left. image of male wrapping his hand.
Tu seras un homme papa

THE FRENCH AND FRANCOPHONE STUDIES PROGRAM INVITES YOU TO THE PLAY:

Tu seras un homme papa, written and performed by Gaël Leiblang, a French television producer and journalist, produced by the French Theatre Project.

"A theatrical uppercut" - Elle

Friday, April 5th, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Huntington Theatre, Boston
one-act play (55-minute running time)
in French with English subtitles

A limited number of seats available to students enrolled in French, on a "first come, first served basis," so don't wait! RSVP by Monday, March 25th to sophianiehaus@brandeis.edu

Synopsis of the play: Tu seras un homme papa is a true story. A story of a dazzling encounter between a father and his son. On one side, a man who is going to face his greatest, most intimate fight. On the other, a newborn who will go through life at lightning speed: 13 days of life, uncertainties, hopes, tenderness and tears. Gaël Leiblang immerses us in the diary of a father who fights to find the path to resilience and tries to tell the inexpressible human experience that is the loss of a child.

flyer for Celebrate ROMS event. colorful image of "Ode to joy" painting by Jaime Rozen. text is included in the body of this page.
CELEBRATE ROMS!

Hosted by the Romance Studies Department: French & Francophone, Hispanic, and Italian Studies

Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024
Time: 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Location: Mandel Forum (atrium area on 100s floor)

  • chat with faculty, UDRs, Study Abroad reps, IIM advisors, & more!

  • learn about our programs and fall 2024 classes!

  • “HAPPY HOUR” - stop by for snacks & soft drinks

  • enter a raffle for Lizzy’s gift cards!

flyer for Giornata dell'italiano. green backgrounds. cartoon image of tree and Italy highlighted on globe. Brandeis seal and address, MITA logo, and QR code. all text is also included below.
L’ABC DELL’ECOLOGIA

Join us in celebrating Italian language and culture, as well as secondary school students' creativity, during the Giornata dell'italiano!

Friday, April 26th, 2024
9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Schwartz Auditorium
Brandeis University

The annual Italian Day - Giornata dell’italiano for secondary school students of Italian in Massachusetts. The “Giornata” is a great opportunity for colleges and universities to showcase their Italian programs and connect with high-school students and faculty. 

This year's focus is: L’ABC DELL’ECOLOGIA. Participating schools are invited to create a short (10-15 minutes) performance (skit, song, interview, dance with dialogue, impersonation, narrative, advertisement, etc.) in Italian focusing on protecting our planet and raising environmental awareness! A panel of judges will evaluate each school's performance and vote for the three best ones.

For more information contact: Nicole Chalifoux at nchalifoux@medford.k12.ma.us
A limited number of available seats for Brandeis community members. RSVP to Katie Dickinson (kdickin@brandeis.edu) by March 15.

Hosted by the Italian Studies Program at Brandeis University, presented in collaboration with the Massachusetts Italian Teachers Association (MITA), a chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Italian (AATI) New England.

Organized by the World Languages and Cultures (WLC) Committee

poster for Brandeis Language Oscars. picture of Oscar statue with same information that is in this announcement
2024 Brandeis Language Oscars

April 4, 2024
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Schwartz Auditorium 112

2024 theme: Such a diverse world!

Watch the finalists in the Language Video Competition. Multi-lingual (with English subtitles). Created by second-semester language students. International desserts and popcorn!

For more events and activities, follow Brandeis Language Learning on Instagram.

Presented by World Languages and Cultures Committee and Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences.

Other Related Events

flyer for World Poetry Day. images of chat bubbles and QR code. text is same as below
World Poetry Day - LANGUAGE FLASHMOB

Share your language with the Brandeis community!

Looking to engage with the foreign languages at Brandeis? Join foreign language departments on World Poetry Day for a Poetry Flashmob! Bring your favorite poem in a foreign language and recite it for community members, or join in to share your support!

Thursday, March 21, 2024
11:30 am - Rabb Steps
2:00 pm - Usdan Student Center
5:00 pm - Fellows Garden

Sign up here for an organized group recitation, or feel free to post, read, and write poetry yourself all day long!

Questions? Contact gmajeski@brandeis.edu or vonmering@brandeis.edu

Recent Events

poster for phonetics workshop. images of conversation bubbles. text is same as below.
Fête de la phonétique

fɛt də la fɔnetik

Thursday, March 14th
4:30-5:30pm
Shiffman 122

With this workshop, we will learn essentiel elements of the phonetic alphabet and work on key elements of French pronunciation. Allons-y!

Pizza, dessert and drinks will be served.

Email Prof. Sophia Niehaus (sophianiehaus@brandeis.edu) by March 11th to reserve a spot. Open to all French majors and minors.

flyer for Latina Poetry Night with illustration of colorful bird in a tree. text is same as on this page.
Annual Latina Poetry Night, in celebration of women’s history month

Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Shiffman 219
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Light refreshments will be served in Shiffman 121. This is a bilingual event and open to the public. For more information, please contact Professor Zoila Castro, zoilacastro@brandeis.edu.

Presented by Hispanic Studies and Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies.

poster for FFS movie night. text is same as in body of this page.
French UDR Movie Night: La Belle et la Bete

Shiffman 219

Tuesday, March 12, 2024
6:30 p.m.

Screening of La Belle et La Bête (1946)

Crepes and chocolat chaud available!

French and Francophone Studies Program

poster for Cocoa and Comics event. images of Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, and cup of coffee. text reads same as on this page.
Cocoa and Comics

Chat with Professor Theobald about all things French.
Learn about French and Francophone Studies at Brandeis!

Monday, February 12th
3:00-4:00 PM
Shiffman Lounge 

Join us for some warm beverages and entertaining reads while chatting with us about any questions you might have about your major/minor or anything French!

Presented by the French and Francophone Studies Program.

Poster for CLASS ACT: CARNEVALE, a commedia dell'arte workshop, details are the same as those listed on site.
CLASS ACT: CARNEVALE, a commedia dell'arte workshop

JOIN THE TROUPE!

with actress/drama instructor Chiara Durazzini

Monday, February 12, 2024
Shiffman 002
1:20 – 2:10 PM and 2:30 – 3:50 PM

All are welcome no matter what language you are studying!

Presented by the Italian Studies Program.

flyer for Fête de la phonétique. images of yellow flowers. text reads same as below.
Fête de la phonétique

[FƐT DƏ LA FƆ NE TIK]

First in a series of 3 sessions exploring la phonétique.

Open to FFS Majors and Minors: email Prof. Theobald for a reservation.

Thursday, February 1

4-5 PM

Shiffman Classroom 122

Food and drinks provided.

flyer for medical interpreter event. image of medical banner with stethoscope and photo of Clara Perez Ruiz. text reads same as on this page.
Rompiendo barreras lingüísticas y culturales- El rol del intérprete médico

Breaking linguistic and cultural barriers: The role of the medical interpreter

Monday, January 29, 2024
9:05–9:55 AM
Shiffman 002

Clara Pérez Ruiz
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Boston Children's Hospital

Students in HISP 105-3 (Oral Communication through Cultural Topics: Salud) are required to attend, but ALL are welcome and encouraged to join! 
Event will be held in Spanish. 
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: Professor González Ros (elenag@brandeis.edu).

Hosted by the Department of Romance Studies and sponsored by COMPACT (Community Partnerships and Civic Transformation).
flyer for Italian Movie Night event includes movie poster of Dante (2022) and logos for Brandeis University and for the Italian Consulate of Boston. all text embedded in the image is also listed on this page
a film screening of “DANTE” directed by Pupi Avati

Movie Night with Pizza!
Sunday, January 21, 2024
5:00–7:00 PM
Olin-Sang 101

The screening will be in Italian with English subtitles.
All are welcome and encouraged to join!
RSVP to servino@brandeis.edu if you’d like pizza!

Presented by the Brandeis Italian Studies Program and the Italian Consulate of Boston.

flyer for Celebrate ROMS event. colorful image of "Ode to joy" painting by Jaime Rozen. text is included in the body of this page.
CELEBRATE ROMS!

Hosted by the Romance Studies Department: French & Francophone, Hispanic, and Italian Studies

Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023
Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Location: International Lounge in Usdan

  • chat with faculty, UDRs, Study Abroad reps, IIM advisors, & more!

  • learn about our programs and spring 2024 classes!

  • “HAPPY HOUR” - stop by for snacks & soft drinks

  • enter a raffle for Lizzy’s gift cards!

This event is part of I Am Global Week 2023!

flyer for All Languages Dinner event. names of languages taught at Brandeis in the background; banner at top with "English" crossed out and "I Am Global Week presents"; other text matches the description on this page. QR code at the bottom corner links to the registration form also linked on this page.
9th Annual All Languages Dinner

All members of the Brandeis Community (undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff) are invited to experience and celebrate the linguistic diversity of Brandeis during the "I Am Global Week 2023." There will be twelve different languages participating this year: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Yiddish, and Latin.

Date: Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Faculty Club
Registration: Starting November 1st, use this link to sign up for the All Languages Dinner.

Stay for a few minutes or for the entire hour. If you speak several languages, visit multiple tables! No matter your level of proficiency, you are welcome! The only rule is NO ENGLISH! Please speak only the language of a specific table (tables) during your visit (you will take a mini language pledge before entering the room).

  • The first 10 individuals who register for each language will receive a voucher for FREE dinner buffet. There will also be culture-specific desserts/snacks at each language table. Registrants will be notified via email if they will receive a voucher (look for an e-mail from your professor), and the vouchers will be available on each language table on the day. Please note that students are given priority to sign up for the free dinner allotted for each language table. The sign-up form will be available on November 1st.
  • If you are not among the first 10, please do not be discouraged and bring your own food! You will also be able to enjoy savory or sweet snacks provided by the language program hosting your table.

Presented by the World Languages and Cultures Committee, the Division of Humanities, and the Mandel Center for the Humanities, with generous support from the Provost and the Dean of Arts and Sciences.

flyer for movie night event. border of french-related images. text is same as on this page.
French UDR Movie Night: Amelie

Shiffman 201
Tuesday - Nov 14
5:30 p.m.

Screening of Amelie from Montmartre 

Crepes and chocolat chaud available!

French and Francophone Studies Program

flyer for Mauro Bucci event and film screening. image of Hotel Splendid movie poster. text is included in the body of this page.
Hotel Splendid: migration stories through the lens of ethnography

Film Screening and Q&A with writer, producer, director, filmmaker, and editor: MAURO BUCCI

Movie Night with Pizza
Sunday, November 12, 2023; 6:00–8:00 p.m. in Mandel G03
If you plan to attend, use this RSVP form to let us know!

Q&A with Mauro Bucci
Tuesday, November 14, 2023; 12:45–1:35 p.m. in Shiffman 219
Mauro Bucci will join us via Zoom to discuss the film and answer any questions you may have!

Hotel Splendid is the intimate and profound story of an African community that lives in an Italian tourist hotel turned into an emergency camp for refugees.

Students in ITAL 30 are required to attend these events, but ALL are welcome and encouraged to join!

Sponsored by the Brandeis Italian Studies Program as part of I Am Global Week 2023.

flyer for merienda event with cartoon of person cooking. text is same as on this page, at left.
Merienda con HISP y LACLS

ICC Swig Lounge

Thursday, November 9, 2023

3:00-5:00 pm

Learn how to make Cuban pastelitos and talk about course offerings!

Hosted by the UDRs in HISP and LACLS.

flyer for cheese event. image of cheese and bread with flags from relevant countries. text is same as on this page.
Formaggio, Fromage y Queso!

This is a joint event hosted by the French, Italian, and Hispanic Studies UDRs.

Tuesday, November 7, 2023
5:30 – 7:00 pm
SCC Atrium

Please join us for a ROMS celebration of Cheese and Community: We will be celebrating all three cultures with different cheeses, meats, and breads!!

poster for Federico Laffitte event. image of person in a canoe on water with trees in background (provided by the film director). text reads same as below
Federico Laffitte: a conversation about El verano de camoatí

4-5:30 p.m. Nov. 2, 2023 | Shiffman 219

Join us to talk virtually with Argentinean director Federico Laffitte about his portrayal of the lives of young people in Patagonia. Event will be held in Spanish.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Professor Kristen Turpin, senior lecturer in Hispanic Studies.

Organized by the Department of Romance Studies. Sponsored by the School of Arts and Sciences.

Haitian Folklore and Dance

7-8 p.m. Nov. 1, 2023 | Schwartz 112

Vin fete!

Venez fêter!

Come celebrate!

A dynamic event featuring Haitian folklore and participatory dance with explanations in English. Haitian-style snacks provided. All are welcome!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Professor Catherine Theobald.

Sponsored by the School of Arts and Sciences

RAPHAËLLE FRANÇOISphoto of presenter

Education & Outreach Manager, Guest Company Dancer

Raphaëlle François was born in Haiti and started dancing at nine years old at Artcho Danse, a highly distinguished dance school in Haiti. She trained in several dance styles, such as modern, jazz, contemporary, classical and ballroom dance. Raphaëlle was inspired by Haitian folklore and decided to specialize herself in Afro-Contemporary dance.

At the age of 12, she became a member of the Artcho Danse School Company and launched a professional career that projected her around the world. She performed, gave workshops and promoted Haitian culture in prestigious institutions such as Tokyo National Ballet, Quartier in Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York City, Ballet Hispanico in New York City, Ballet Roto in Dominican Republic and in Cyprus, Jamaica. She has also created pieces, such as "ti mari'' (Haiti), "Marasa," and "Y continuamos'' (Dominican Republic, Dance Festival Edanco). Raphaëlle is currently working on a series of workshops called " Vin danse ak Raphaelle" around the world where she teaches basic Haitian Folklore techniques.

Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE)
Instagram: @jaebostonhaiti

poster for Humanities Trick or Treat with spider web border and ghost. text is also on this page at left.
Humanities Trick or Treat

Stop by Department Admins for candy and to learn more about their programs, courses, majors/minors, events, and more! Trick-or-Treating will take place on Halloween (Oct. 31) in two shifts below. We look forward to seeing you!

10 am - 1 pm

  • English - Rabb 144
  • Philosophy - Rabb 303
  • ROMS (Romance Studies) - Shiffman 108
  • COML (Comparative Literature & Culture) - Shiffman 108

12 - 4 pm

  • Division of Humanities - Mandel Center Pod 127
  • Classical and Early Mediterranean Studies - Mandel Center Pod 225
  • NEJS (Near Eastern & Judaic Studies) - Lown 211
  • GRALL (German, Russian & Asian Languages & Literatures) - Shiffman 116
poster for event with same text as on website with picture of speaker and French Flag with Star of David
Antisemitism in France Today: A History & Conversation

With Professor Jennifer Cazenave

Oct. 5, 2023 | Shiffman 216

  • Questions about attitudes regarding Jews in France today?
  • Wondering how the place of Jews in France has evolved since 1945?
  • Interested in studying abroad but concerned about antisemitism in
  • France and in Europe in general?
  • Want context to better understand "Prayer for the French Republic?"
A short presentation followed by a question-and-answer session in English about the current state of antisemitism in France.

Jennifer Cazenave is an assistant professor of French & Film at Boston University. She is the author of "An Archive of the Catastrophe: The Unused Footage of Claude Lanzmann’s 'Shoah' " (2019), as well as numerous articles and essays on French cinema, Holocaust films and traumatic histories.

Sponsored by the Center for German and European Cultural Studies.

poster for crepe night. Text is the same as on web page.
Fresh Crêpes with the French UDRS

Sept. 27, 2023 | Upper Usdan

Enjoy crêpes with us!

Come to dinner and dessert with the French Department. All are welcome.

poster for play with same text as on website. Picture of Jewish family against abstract rendition of Paris and Eiffel Tower
"Prayer for the French Republic"

Sept. 28, 2023 | Huntington Theatre, Boston, MA

"Prayer for the French Republic" by Joshua Harmon

An event for students in French and Francophone Studies. A limited number of tickets available to any student enrolled in French, on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't wait!

"Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, wickedly funny." — The New York Times