Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To introduce students to some of the major world fictions of movement and migration across the twentieth century. To provide students with a critical and theoretical vocabulary for the discussion and analysis of this fiction. To expose students to the diverse ways in which notions of exile, diaspora, empire, neo-colonialism, post-colonialism, globalisation, tourism, terrorism, and so forth, have marked twentieth century literature. To allow students to think beyond the sedentary categories of national literatures (e.g. British literature) associated with traditional canons.

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus will cover one novel/ short story collection per week. Lectures will locate these works in terms of key themes, issues and debates of the module (e.g. globalisation, gender and sexuality, terrorism).

Texts typically include:

Jamaica Kincaid, A Small Place
Jean Rhys, Wide Sargasso Sea
Toni Morrison, Beloved
Maxine Hong Kingston, The Woman Warrior
T Salih, Season of Migration to the North
Hari Kunzru, Transmission
Kamila Shamsie, Home Fire

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

A broader understanding of how literature operates beyond and across (rather than merely within) national frames.

A greater critical sensitivity to how issues of movement and migration impact upon literary aesthetics, and upon cultural politics more widely.

A grounding in some of the key concepts, ideas and theories associated with postcolonial and diaspora studies and how these relate to questions of modernity and globalisation.

Intended Skill Outcomes

An ability to analyse a range of fictional works closely and critically through the lens of migration

An ability to enter into dialogue with existing criticism and theory associated with the literary materials, and to formulate independent critical positions in relation to the theories

An ability to engage more self-consciously with how twentieth century literature shapes and is shaped by movement and migrration

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures introduce students to the knowledge outcomes. Seminars develop this knowledge through small group dialogue.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The 1000 word mid-semester essay (formative assessment) will involve a close reading of an extract from one of the set texts. It will allow students to reflect on their progress at an early stage, and provide them with feedback they can build upon in the end of semester essay. The 3000 word end of semester essay will require students to engage comparatively and conceptually with the set texts. Students will have to select texts from both the first and second half of the module to ensure engagement does not tail off in the final weeks. Finally, the portfolio will consist of a collection of participation and engagement activities completed throughout the semester, which will give students a chance to apply the knowledge learned in lecture and seminar and develop skills for the final essay.

General Notes

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