Modern Languages and Literatures 

Jean-Ederson Jean-Pierre is a current PhD student in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. He received his MA in French and Francophone studies from Syracuse University and his BA in Sociology at the State University of Haiti. He is interested in the relationships between literature, society, and politics.

I chose JHU because I found that the Modern Languages and Literatures department fits my research goal. So far, what I find most exciting about the program is the freedom that I have to explore any topic I want in the field. I have the flexibility to address any question that seems to be relevant to me. I am hoping to work on the writing of Haitian presidents in the late 19th and 20th century, ideally with Dr. Daniel Desormeaux.

The decision to work on that topic comes from the fact that I observe that it is very common that Haitian politicians write about their life and/or their political experiences. And I have a sense that some of these writings are intended to serve a political purpose. 

I am working with the department to see how it would be possible to go to France over summer to start retrieving these presidents’ writings and any document related to the topic. The National Library (Bibliothèque Nationale de France) and the Archives Nationales d’Outre-Mer hold a lot of Haitian archives. 

I am also currently working on an Advanced Haitian Creole textbook as a co-author with Professor Frenand Léger from Carleton University in Canada. Personally, I am a big soccer fan–I watch the European leagues–and I am excited to be in Baltimore for five years.