EAC289 - Literature of Africa and the Black Diaspora

Subject Title
Literature of Africa and the Black Diaspora

Subject Description
This course is a survey of modern African literature. Beginning with Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart which deals with Africa's encounter with the colonial experience, modern African literature has evolved over the years to address a wide range of themes in postcolonial Africa. Through a close reading of selected texts (fiction, drama, and poetry) from various parts of the continent, this course will examine how modern African literature has attempted to capture a wide range of themes across the continent from pre-colonial era to the present. We will read English-medium texts or works translated into English from other languages. Of particular concern will be the attitude of the selected texts to various issues of interest (colonialism, ethnicity, race, religion, culture conflict, politics, gender, class, modernity and ethnic nationalism etc.) and how the issues tend to overlap or differ at various historical moments in the texts under investigation. Theoretical and critical writings will be read alongside literary texts.

Credit Status
One English Literature elective credit.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Upon successful completion of this Course, the student will be able to:

1. Appreciate African literature as a reflection of experiences that are both of local and universal significance.
2. Understand the socio-political and cultural conditions of the African continent at different points in history.
3. Understand the uniqueness of African literature in European languages.
4. Acquire the critical and analytical skills necessary to evaluate a literary work.
5. Appreciate how critical methodologies and modes of literary analysis can be applied to practical challenges.

Academic Integrity
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Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
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Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
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Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
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