Fox Cities News

Anne Ratnoff, a recent addition to the French and Francophone studies faculty at Lawrence University, is making significant contributions to the curriculum. Specializing in 20th- and 21st-century French and Francophone literature, Ratnoff has introduced new courses since joining in fall 2024. These include "Is It Utopia? Feminist Francophone Fictions" and "Nature and the New Novel." The former course examines how feminist writers use fiction to shape utopic visions for both present and future contexts, while the latter explores novel settings with a focus on background and environment.

Ratnoff has also been involved in teaching First-Year Studies and participating in the Gender Studies program. Her research interests revolve around identity, feminist writing, and narrative theory. Before her tenure at Lawrence University, she was a visiting assistant professor of French at Kenyon College. She holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University, a master’s degree from Middlebury College in Paris, and a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College.

Discussing her teaching philosophy, Ratnoff emphasizes the importance of conversation: "A good conversation is never one-sided... Conversations require generous listening," she explains. This approach supports learning by encouraging students to admit what they do not know yet.

Looking ahead, Ratnoff is enthusiastic about teaching at Björklunden during an upcoming Language Immersion Weekend. She plans to incorporate local field trips into her course "Nature and the New Novel" (FREN 425), aiming to utilize Björklunden as one of these sites.

Reflecting on unexpected career moments, Ratnoff shares her passion for mysteries: "While I currently can’t stop listening to Agatha Christie audiobooks... I am even more excited to read a book where the mystery can’t be solved." This interest inspired her course "Is It Utopia? Feminist Francophone Fictions," where unsolved mysteries lead students through complex narratives.

Outside academia, Ratnoff imagines herself pursuing creative endeavors such as ceramics: "There is something incredibly therapeutic about building something out of clay," she notes. Her favorite campus spot is John G. Strange Commons on Main Hall's first floor—a serene place for reading.

When recommending cultural works that resonate with her soul or could appeal to friends, she suggests Fiston Mwanza Mujila's book "The Villain’s Dance," Erykah Badu's song “Window Seat,” and Marguerite Duras' film "India Song."

Ratnoff continues contributing actively to both academic discussions within Lawrence University and broader intellectual explorations beyond classroom walls.