Postcolonial Literature and Language

Institution: 
Edith Cowan University
Code: 
CCC3107
Year: 
2010

This unit encourages students to examine their own speaking positions through engaging with the often conflicting theoretical positions provided by postcolonial discourses. It will draw upon a range of mostly contemporary texts written in or translated into English.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. demonstrate an awareness of the ambiguities and complexities of post-colonial discourse and the need to clarify their own speaking positions;

2. apply selected theoretical models and assumptions to texts drawn from diverse cultures, but written in or translated into English; and

3. identify and discuss issues related to post-colonial theory, including language, gender, appropriation, globalisation, nationalism, hybridity and diaspora.

UNIT CONTENT

1. Introduction to historical and social background relevant to the development of selected postcolonial literatures.

2. Study of selected works from different regions representative of particular cultural features, as well as reflective of thematic and technical development and variation.

3. Study of works from a single region, as well as between regions.

4. Application of appropriate theoretical models to selected texts and discussions of relevant issues in post-colonial literary theory.

Texts: 
Chi, Jimmy Bran Nue Dae : A Musical Journey 1990 Musical theatre
Ashcroft, W. D.
Griffiths, Gareth
Tiffin, Helen
Hawkes, Terence [ed.]
The Empire Writes Back : Theory and Practice in Post-Colonial Literatures 1989 Criticism
De Kretser, Michelle The Lost Dog 2007 Novel
Non-Austlit Texts: 

Jack, I. (Ed.). The view from Africa: Granta 92. London: Granta Publications, 2005

Joseph Conrad. Heart of darkness Norton Critical Edition - Kimbrough, R. (Ed.). London/New York: W.W. Norton, 1988

Organisational Body: 
Faculty of Regional Professional Studies
Assessment: 

Research essay

40%

Group project and presentation

30%

Discussion papers

30%

Additional Information
Supplementary Texts: 

Ashcroft, B. (2001). Post-colonial transformation. London: Routledge

Ashcroft, B., Griffiths, G., & Tiffin, H. (1998) Key concepts in post-colonial studies. London: Routledge.

Bhabha, H. (1990). Nation and narration. New York - London: Routledge.

Boehmer, E. (1995). Colonial and postcolonial literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Brewster, A. (1995). Literary formations: Post-colonialism, nationalism, globalism. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press.

Gandhi, L. (1998). Postcolonial theory: A critical introduction. Sydney: Allen & Unwin

Goldberg, D. & Quayson, A. (Eds.) (2002). Relocating postcolonialism Malden: Blackwell.

Hallward, P. (2001). Absolutely postcolonial: Writing between the singular and the specific. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Huggan, G. (2001). The postcolonial exotic: Marketing the margins. London: Routledge.

Loomba, A. (1998). Colonialism/postcolonialism. London: Routledge.

McLeod, J. (2000). Beginning postcolonialism. Manchester: MUP.

Moreton-Robinson, A. (2000). Talkin' up to the white woman: Indigenous women and feminism. St Lucia: UQP.

Punter, D. (2000). Postcolonial imaginings: Fictions of a new world order. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University.

Said, E. (1979). Orientalism. New York: Vintage Books.

Talib, I. (2002). The language of postcolonial literatures: An introduction. London: Routledge.

Thieme, J. (2001). Postcolonial con-texts: Writing back to the canon. London: Continuum

Whisker, G. (2000). Post-colonial and African American women's writing: A critical introduction Houndmills: Macmillan.

JOURNALS

Meanjin

SPAN

Kunapipi

World literature written in English

Journal of Commonwealth literature

World literature today

African literature today

Categories:
Unit Contexts: English/Literary Studies, Postcolonial Studies