Course Catalogue

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The long history of empire, invasion and occupation that has shaped modernity and the struggles for national independence it has produced has resulted in a rich literature of colonisation and resistance. This course explores postcolonial writing from Shakespeare to Jean Rhys and Salman Rushdie, through the lens of major theoretical figures such as Gayatri Spivak, Homi Bhabha and Edward Said.

1 x 2hr seminar per week over ten weeks as scheduled on MyCampus.

This is one of the Honours options in English Literature and may not run every year. The options that are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Successful completion of Junior Honours English Literature, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation.

ENGLIT4027 Postcolonialism: Writing & Theory

The standard assessments for this course are: 

■ Essay (2000 words): 35%  

■ Essay (3000 words): 50% 

■ Seminar presentation of 7 minutes: 15% 

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available: 

■ There are no alternatives to the Essay (2000 words), but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ There are no alternatives to the Essay (3000 words), but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustment (Students should follow the usual process for extensions). 

■ Recorded presentation or one-to-one presentation / discussion/Q&A with staff (where presentation would normally be in class) as alternative to presentation.

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.  

This course will provide the opportunity to:

■ study a wide range of literary texts engaged with Empire and its aftermath

■ consider these texts in the light of a variety of theoretical and historical approaches

■ reflect on the relationship between literature and Empire

■ develop independent research skills through formulating and researching essay topics with appropriate guidance

■ develop skills in the art of critical writing at the appropriate level.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ write an assessment of available critical and historical approaches to literature and Empire, and identify the approaches that they find most convincing 

■ critically assess the language and themes of postcolonial literature

■ write in a critical and informed way about genres and techniques in postcolonial literature 

■ explain the cultural and historical factors behind the histories and stories of Empire

■ develop an autonomous research interest in the field of postcolonial literature and criticism 

■ communicate responses to the material studied on the course both orally and in written form through coherent and sustained argument.

■ demonstrate resilience and time management through effectively planning, undertaking and submitting coursework.

■ deal with change and new challenges by applying their disciplinary skills and knowledge to previously unfamiliar research areas and questions.