WRT2407 - Postcolonial and diasporic literature

Leader(s): Dr Andrew Ng Hock Soon

Offered

Sunway First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces contemporary debates surrounding the concept of postcolonialism and its attending notions including orientalism, diaspora, hybridity, cosmopolitanism, nationalism and third-world sexuality. This unit is introduced in line with the aim of globalising of the University's curriculum and in making learning relevant to the learners. The objectives, apart from creating an awareness among students with regards to their postcolonial subjectivities, also opens up a critical space with which they can engage, debate, interpret and realign. Through interaction with literature, it is hoped that students will translate what they read to how they experience their subjectivities.

Objectives

At the end of the units duration, the students will be able to:
a. Critically appreciate their postcolonial subjectivities through an involved interaction with literature and contemporary theories of postcolonialism; this will be evidenced from their participation during tutorial sessions.
b. Understand and critically interrogate vital concepts of subjectivity such as hybridity, diaspora, exile, orientalism and postcolonialism through their engagement with text and theory so as to vitalise their awareness of the contemporary and globalised world within which they live.
c. Make informed notions of, and debate on the vicissitudes of postcolonialism and its complementary concepts in both their tutorial interactions and their assignments and exams.

Assessment

Assignment (2000 words) 45%,

Examination (2 hours): 45%,

Tutorial participation: 10%

Contact hours

4 hours (1-2 hour lecture and 1-2 hour tutorial per week)