Offered
South Africa First semester 2008 (Day)
Synopsis
Reading Africa has been designed to introduce the university study of literature in English through a range of texts from and about Africa. It offers a practical demonstration of what the study of Literatures written in English entails and a preparation for later reading and studying. It offers some sense of the variety of what is possible in literature - of the ways texts relate to each other over time. Primarily, however, the unit aims to prepare you in the art of reading and of thinking about reading, an art that will continue to be practised in whatever literature units you choose in building a degree, and also throughout your lifetime of reading.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this unit, students should:* recognise the specific qualities of the three main genres of English literature;* handle the critical concepts and language appropriate to discussions of the different genres and recognise some of the theoretical perspectives that have been brought to bear on them;* demonstrate the basic skill of analytic and critical discussion, including the technical conventions proper to English;* appreciate the historical perspectives and conventions within which literature is produced.
Assessment
Tutorial attendance and participation 10%; Short essay (750 words) 10%; Long essay (1500 words) 30%;Examination 50%;
Contact hours
One x 2 hr lecture/weekTwo x 1 hr tutorial/week
