Postcolonial Writing and Theory

This subject is not offered in 2009.

Usually admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in English or creative writing.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

In this subject students study how postcolonial writers have used the spaces of literature and theory to reflect on the power relations that have existed between nations and communities belonging to the first and third worlds, or what is sometimes now called the North and South. They also explore the role that writing itself has played in destroying and reconstituting lives disrupted by the growth of mass tourism, migration, apartheid and other forms of racism and discrimination. On successful completion of the subject. Students will be able to produce critical readings of a wide range of literary and theoretical texts dealing with postcolonial themes. They will also have an understanding of some of the key theoretical concepts being deployed by prominent postcolonial scholars to produce critical accounts of colonialism and neo-colonialism.

An essay of 4000 words 90% (due at the end of semester) and seminar participation and class paper presentation of 1000 words 10%.

A subject reader will be available.

• Disgrace (J Coetzee), Secker & Marburg
• Bone Black: Memories of a Girlhood (B Hooks), Henry Holt
• A Small Place (J Kincaid), Virago
• The Bluest Eye (T Morrison), Virago
• A Short Introduction to Postcolonialism (R Young)
• Black Skin/ White Masks (F Fanon), Grove

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;

• develop persuasive arguments on a given topic;

• communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.

Formerly available as 106-122. Students who have completed 106-122 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.