Not offered 2007-2008
AFR 140 Revolutionary African Literature (Same as Comparative Literature 218 and English 250) *
This course will serve as an introduction to postcolonial African literatures, and it organizes a set of African novels, essays, and poetry around the concept of revolution. In this course, we will attend to how texts represent (or respond to) social revolutions (decolonization, civil war, feminism, etc.) as well as literary ones (realism, postmodernism, etc.). In doing so, we will consider a variety of questions: What is "revolutionary" literature? To what extent can literature be political/revolutionary? What is the relationship between politics and aesthetics? Readings will include selections from among Amilcar Cabral, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Ama Ata Aidoo, Bessie Head, Okot p'Bitek, Zoe Wicomb, Nuruddin Farah, Ayi Kwei Armah, and Tsitsi Dangarembga.
Format: lecture/discussion. Evaluation will be based upon attendance and participation, reading responses, class presentations, one mid-term essay, and one final research paper.
No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 30 (expected: 25). Preference given to first- and second- year students.

ROBOLIN