Francine Benny

Associate Professor (Teaching Stream)

• M.A in French Literature, B.A. in French Literature Certificate in University Teaching; Certificate in College teaching.
• 1610 Dunton Tower, Carleton University
• 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6
• Email Francine Benny

Office Hours: TBC

2026-2027 Courses

• FREN 1002A (Fall/Winter)
• FREN 1050A (Fall)
• FREN 2100B (Fall/Winter)
• FREN 2203A (Winter)

Biography:

I studied French literature, college education, and language instruction at Université Laval in Quebec City. I held a number of teaching positions before joining the Department of French at Carleton University in 2003.

I taught French and French culture at Université Laval for seven years (1983 – 1990), and French literature at Collège de la Gaspésie et des Iles for two years (1992 – 1993). I also worked as a teacher educator at Collège des Saints Coeurs Byblos in Lebanon (1998 – 2000), where I worked closely with teachers to improve their pedagogy and prepared a weekly journal of tips and reflections for teachers. I have been teaching French language and literature courses at Carleton University since 2002.

I have always been fascinated with words. I write poems, songs, and short pedagogical and cultural texts. I also hold literary workshops in some of my classes. Over time, I have increasingly specialized in teaching French Canadian literature and notably the language, culture, and history of Québec as reflected in its literary tradition.

Research Interests

• The history, culture, and language of French Canada as reflected in its literary tradition, and especially in the literature of Québec.
• French-language Innu literature, notably the works of Joséphine Bacon, Michel Jean and Samian.
• The short stories of Honoré Beaugrand
• Student literature and writing motivation (esp. via attention to oral literature, to popular culture, and to wordplay).
• The use of popular culture in teaching language courses.
• International French-language literature.
• Color symbolism the 20th century novel.
• Narcissism in the late 20^th century and early 21^st century novel.

Awards

• Professional Achievement Award (2016)
• Professional Achievement Award (2006)

Creative projects

• First-year workbook (I am currently working on the fourth edition of my Excursion textbook).
• Short poetical, cultural, and pedagogical texts (I am currently putting together a collection of my poetry for publication).

Publications

Books

• Excursion. Livre de lecture; culture et langage; poèmes, dialogues cultures, courts textes, troisième édition, Toronto, Thompson et Nelson, 2018, 198 p.

• Excursion. Culture et langage, deuxième édition, Toronto, Thompson et Nelson, 2013, 198 p.

• Excursion. Culture et langage, Toronto, Thompson et Nelson, 2007, 133 p.

Poems

• “Musicien des couleurs,” in Mot dit, in In/words, Fall 2011.

• “Être et avoir” in Mot dit,  In/words, Winter 2009.

Journals

• Le papier bavard, journal culturel hebdomadaire, Collège des Saints Cœurs, Jbeil, Beyrouth, 1998-2000,