Post-Colonial African Literature in English

Wedi cwblhau'r modiwl dylai'r myfyrwyr fedru:

1. critically review and appraise the main issues in debates about African literature;
2. relate the principal theories and practices of African postcolonial theory to the set texts;
3. exercise critical judgement on the range of literary material chosen for study;
4. present challenging literary texts in a critically-informed and well-structured manner

Africa is a huge continent, embracing a vast array of cultures. Consequently, this module can only act as an introduction to the different regions and to sample the variety of writing. The module will engage African literature in the postcolonial era, focusing upon texts from male and female writers, novelists and poets, from East, West and Southern Africa. It will consider general theories of postcolonialism, and those theories that are more focused upon regions, or thematic concerns such as language, gender, imprisonment and politics. The module will cover writers from Kenya, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and South Africa, considering the immediate aftermath of independence in many countries, the “peculiar institution” of apartheid, and contemporary concerns such as immigration, AIDS and the drug culture. The module will offer opportunities for students to range beyond the set texts in their literary engagement and research.

Seminar 1: Africa and (Post)Colonialism
Introduction: Africa and its (post)colonial history

Seminars 2 & 3: Theorising Colonialism: Language and National Identity
Text: Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Petals of Blood

Seminar 4: Chinua Achebe - "Man of Two Worlds"
Text: Chinua Achebe, No Longer at Ease

Seminar 5: African Women Writing
Text: Tsitsi Dangarembga, Nervous Conditions

Seminar 6; African Women Writing
Text; NoViolet Bulawayo, We Need New Names

Seminar 7 & 8: Black Consciousness, the Soweto Era, and Apartheid
Text: Adam Schwartzman (ed.), Ten South African Poets; Mbulelo Mzamane, (ed) Hungry Flames ( a section of short stories)

Seminar 9 & 10.Post-Apartheid Narratives?
Text: Phaswane Mpe, Welcome to Our Hillbrow

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cydymffurfio a FfCChC Lefel 6