ENG 406 - African Literature

This course will examine major writers and diverse literary traditions of the African continent. Through an exploration of different genres - fiction, poetry, drama, and essays students will consider critical approaches such as formalist, deconstructionist, archetypal, historical, biographical, psychoanalytical, and feminist criticisms to identify Contemporary African Literature. Students will assess different forms and techniques writers employ to convey their ideas, and consider colonialism and cultural imperialism in the construction of “African” literature in non-African languages. Focused study on cultural nationalism, gender, sexuality and African cultural traditions.