Global Literature and Postcolonialism

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Total expected time commitment is 170 hours across the semester, including class time.

None

None

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670-321 Travel Writing and Postcolonialism

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Students in this subject study some of the more iconic works of colonial, postcolonial and diasporic writing from the late-19 th century to the present. They pay attention to the writers’ forms and styles and to the way they address themes such as civilization, slavery, cultural encounter, and interracial conflict and desire while also learning about theoretical concepts such as Degeneration, Orientalism, nationalism, transnationalism, cosmopolitanism, and globalisation. Finally, they investigate the ways writers have used the space of literature to critically comment and reflect on some of the more important social and cultural problems facing ex-colonial and metropolitan societies today.

On completion of the subject students should have:

• a deeper understanding of the importance of textual traditions in shaping responses to other places, peoples, culture;
• a knowledge and understanding of the social, political and cultural forces that have informed and shaped colonial, postcolonial and diasporic writing since the late-19 th century;
• develop a knowledge and appreciation of the subject matter, styles and narrative conventions used by colonial, postcolonial and diasporic writers, and how these writers have used the space of literature to comment on historical and contemporary social and moral issues;
• gain and overview of key writers of postcolonial theory and their most significant concepts and critical insights.

A class paper, 500 words, 10%, (done throughout the semester), a 1500 word essay 40% (due mid-semester), and an essay of 2000 words 50% (due in the examination period).

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. No extension will be given on the take-home examination due in the examination period.

A subject reader will be available.

• Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad
• Plain Tales from the Hills Rudyard Kipling
• Wide Sargasso Sea Jean Rhys
• Things Fall Apart C Achebe
• Jazz T Morrison
• Disgrace J M Coetzee
• East-West Salman Rushdie
• On Beauty Z Smith
• A Small Place Jamaica Kincaid

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:

• apply new research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
• develop critical self-awareness and shape the capacity to persuasive arguments;
• communicate arguments and ideas effectively and articulately, both in writing and to others.

Students who have completed 106-033 Writing After Empire or 106-033/670-321 Colonial and Postcolonial Writing, or 106-229/673-344 Travel Writing and Travel Texts are not eligible to enrol in this subject.