As a field, postcolonial studies often aims to unearth hidden and occluded narratives in source material guided by imperial or Eurocentric norms. In this way, postcolonial approaches can be vital in offering reparative or revisionist readings of history, literature and, ultimately, culture. At a surface level, postcolonial studies focuses on empires and colonies, conquerors and the conquered. Yet at a deeper level, postcolonial readings are often steered by a thorough analysis of social, racial and ethnic codes, all of which contribute to the ways that people and cultures have been categorized historically as ‘superior’, ‘inferior’, ‘subordinate’, ‘developed’ and ‘developing’.
In line with modern scholarship which examines colonial tropes both prior to and after Columbus’s arrival in the Americas, this half-module offers you the chance to study a range of colonial/postcolonial writing from different historical periods. It will introduce you to postcolonial literature and scholarship. It also interrogates postcolonial tools or frameworks for cultural and literary analysis. This half-module will prompt questions concerning how we might read ‘postcolonial’ themes in texts produced in pre-colonial, colonial and postcolonial periods? How do ideas of empire, conquest and colonies affect cultural and literary studies? Can we adduce particular trends in certain historical periods or particular places in the world?
Module Aims:
To provide students with a critical overview of postcolonial literature, themes and the issues throughout different historical periods.
To introduce students to a variety of postcolonial methodologies, frameworks and topics.
To enhance analytical skills and self-expression, through research and writing.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete the module will be expected to:
Display a good knowledge of postcolonial literature taught on the course.
Demonstrate considerable critical awareness of postcolonial themes and methodological approaches.
In line with modern scholarship which examines colonial tropes both prior to and after Columbus’s arrival in the Americas, this half-module offers you the chance to study a range of colonial/postcolonial writing from different historical periods. It will introduce you to postcolonial literature and scholarship. It also interrogates postcolonial tools or frameworks for cultural and literary analysis. This half-module will prompt questions concerning how we might read ‘postcolonial’ themes in texts produced in pre-colonial, colonial and postcolonial periods? How do ideas of empire, conquest and colonies affect cultural and literary studies? Can we adduce particular trends in certain historical periods or particular places in the world?
Module Aims:
To provide students with a critical overview of postcolonial literature, themes and the issues throughout different historical periods.
To introduce students to a variety of postcolonial methodologies, frameworks and topics.
To enhance analytical skills and self-expression, through research and writing.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete the module will be expected to:
Display a good knowledge of postcolonial literature taught on the course.
Demonstrate considerable critical awareness of postcolonial themes and methodological approaches.