This module deals with postcolonial literature and theory. The legacy of imperialism in (ex-)colonised cultures is fundamental to our study, but the main focus here is the role that literature and culture can play in resisting that legacy and helping in the construction of new, 'postcolonial' identities. We will focus upon a variety of (ex-)colonial contexts and literatures in order to examine both this issue and also, in turn, the problems posed to these 'national identities' by factors such as class, gender and migrancy. Primary texts may include works such as:
The God of Small Things – Arundhati Roy
In a Free State – V.S.Naipaul
Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe
Gardening in the Tropics – Olive Senior

Contact teaching will be through workshop format. Students will be expected to work both independently (on research and preparation for both classes and assessments) and as part of a team (on some class exercises and presentation work).

Key Information Set:
10% scheduled learning and teaching activities
90% guided independent learning

Secondary critical and theoretical works will be selected from a 'reader' such as:
Ashcroft et al (eds) (2006) The Post-Colonial Studies Reader. 2nd edition. London: Routledge.

PC Projector
Video
Library
Internet
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

A mid-module essay length 1,500 weighted at 20%.[Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4]
An annotated bibliography of online sources (1,000 words, 20%) [Learning outcomes 1, 3]
An end of year essay length 2,500 words weighted at 60%. [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Information Set:
100% coursework