The aim of this course is to introduce students to postcolonial literature and theory and to encourage them to read and think critically about the issues raised by colonisation, especially as these relate to the use of language.
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
2. Week
Basic Concepts and Debates
John McLeod “Introduction”
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
3. Week
Robinson Crusoe (1997, dir. Rod Hardy and George T. Miller) (in-class screening)
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
4. Week
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011, dir. John Madden) (in-class screening)
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
5. Week
Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
6. Week
Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
7. Week
Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
8. Week
Midterm week
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
9. Week
Jean Rhys Wide Sargasso Sea
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
10. Week
Jean Rhys Wide Sargasso Sea
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
11. Week
Jean Rhys Wide Sargasso Sea
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
12. Week
Haneif Kureishi, My Son the Fanatic
Jamaica Kincaid, A Small Place (excerpts)
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
13. Week
The Namesake (dir. Mira Nair)
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
14. Week
Review
Lectures, discussion, critical reading, film reviews
15. Week
Final Exams Week
essay type questions
16. Week
Final Exams Week
essay type questions
17. Week
Final Exams Week
essay type questions
Assessments
Evaluation tools
Quantity
Weight(%)
Midterm(s)
1
35
Quizzes
4
15
Final Exam
1
50
Program Outcomes
PO-1
Show knowledge of a substantial range of authors, movements and texts from different periods of literary history.
PO-2
Identify the intellectual, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature
is written and read.
PO-3
Employ the necessary skills in the reading, analysis and in appreciation of literature.
PO-4
Recognize, interpret, and comment on rhetorical and figurative language.
PO-5
Identify, distinguish between and assess the distinctive characteristics of texts written in the principle literary genres.
PO-6
Recall and define key terms and concepts relating to language, literature and/or culture.
PO-7
Recognize the role of different social and cultural contexts in affecting meaning.
PO-8
Demonstrate responsiveness to the central role of language in the creation of meaning.
PO-9
Recognize different structures and discourse functions of the English language.
PO-10
Display competence both in written and/or oral expression and in the
communication of ideas in a variety of contexts.
PO-11
Demonstrate critical skills in the close reading, description, interpretation,
and analysis of literary and non-literary texts.
PO-12
Use logical thought, critical reasoning, and rhetorical skills to effectively
construct arguments.
PO-13
Apply guided research skills including the ability to gather, sift, organize and
present information and material.
PO-14
Show competence in planning, preparation and revision of essays,
presentations, and other written and project work.
PO-15
Reflect on ethical and philosophical issues raised in literary, critical, and
cultural texts.
Learning Outcomes
LO-1
demonstrate knowledge of a range of postcolonial literature from around the world and a critical sense of the usefulness and limits of ‘postcolonial’ as a term;
LO-2
show a basic understanding of the history of European colonialism and decolonization;
LO-3
define a number of key terms and concepts within postcolonial theory;
LO-4
intelligently apply the theoretical and historical knowledge they have gained to readings of individual literary texts;
LO-5
think critically about their own situatedness in a history of colonialist struggle, and about how this history shapes our use of language.
