Kodjo Adabra

Professor of French & Francophone Studies
Welles 209A
585-245-5247
adabra@geneseo.edu

Kodjo Adabra has been a member of the Geneseo faculty since 2010. His primary research deals with sub-Saharan Francophone African literature from Post-colonial Africa, with a focus on diasporic literature, literary transnationalism, migration, identity and exile. He extensively worked on the journalistic work in PNPA (Peuples Noirs Peuples Africains) by Franco-Cameroonian author Alexandre Biyidi-Awala, alias Mongo Beti. He also developed secondary research interests in African cinema, nego-feminism, and sociolinguistics. He has authored four books: a monograph and two novels in French, and a memoir in English.

In addition to his awards and recognitions at SUNY Geneseo, he received the SUNY System-wide Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2020, and the Chancellor's Award for Internationalization (CAFI) in 2011. 

 

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Office Hours: FALL 2024

Mondays: 03:00pm-04:15pm

Wednesdays: 02:15pm-03:30pm

(& by appointment on Thursdays)

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • - Ph.D., Francophone Literatures, University of Tennessee
    - M.A., French Studies, North Carolina State University
    - M.S., Management, Université de Lomé, Togo
    - B.S., Management, Université de Lomé, Togo

Affiliations

  • Elected CUR Representative in the Arts and Humanities Division (CUR: Council on Undergraduate Research).

  • Member of :
    - ALA (African Literature Association)
    - CIEF (Conseil International d'Etudes Francophones)
    - AATF (American Association of Teachers of French)
    - NeMLA (Northeast Modern Language Association)

  • Proceedings Reviewer at NCUR (National Conference on Undergraduate Research)

Published books

  • - Adabra, Kodjo. The Power of Your Inner Power: An Existential Counter-Narrative (in progress)
    - Adabra, Kodjo. Human Folly, 2025. (Forthcoming)
    - Adabra, Kodjo. The Power of An Untamed Mindset: A Story of Resilience, Florida - USA: Gatekeeper Press, 2023. (Book - Memoir)
    - Adabra, Kodjo. La bêtise humaine, Lome - TOGO: Editions Awoudy, 2015. (Book - Novel)
    - Adabra, Kodjo. L'œuvre journalistique de Mongo Beti: Contours et regard critique. Saarbrücken - GERMANY: Presses Académiques Francophones, 2013. (Book - Monograph)
    - Adabra, Kodjo. L’exilé, Nice - FRANCE: Editions Syracuse, 2007. (Book - Novel)

  • PS. The list of my scholarly and peer-reviewed published articles is available upon request.

More About Me

My Geneseo Personal Website

Other Interests

  • Creative writing
  • Study abroad in Senegal
  • French for Business
  • Poetry
  • Films
  • Martial Arts (Shotokan Karate)

Classes

  • FREN 102: Elementary French II

    Communication-based language course. Continuation of the development of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Intensive practice of real-world communication and cultural knowledge.

  • FREN 213: IntermedFrenchGrammCult&Comm

    An exploration of cultural and contemporary topics at the intermediate level via a variety of materials (such as print, film, internet, and/or music) and peer-oriented activities that enable students to continue developing the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. This course must be taken in residence.

  • FREN 326: Early Non-Euro Francophone Civ

    Analysis of major trends, issues, and movements in francophone civilizations from colonial and early post-colonial periods. A broad range of elements, including art, architecture, religion, education, family life and roles of women are highlighted.