CLS1220 - Centres and margins

Leader(s): Dr. Pier Paolo Frassinelli and Ms. Priscilla Appama

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit discusses relations between the West and the rest of the world as represented in modern literary and cultural texts. The unit introduces the idea of Eurocentrism, and the dichotomy between centre and margins that has been traditionally associated with Europe's relations to the rest of the world. We will juxtapose images of Europe produced by literary authors, musicians and filmmakers from various parts of the worlds, to European views of the colonial and formerly colonised world. Students will be also exposed to narratives of migration and displacement,looking at conflicts and tensions that inform contemporary ideas of transnationalism,cosmopolitanism and globalisation.

Objectives

On successfully completing this unit students should be able to:

1. have some sense of the variety of what is possible in literary and cultural studies, and a general understanding of the diversity of modern global literature and culture
2. handle the critical concepts and language appropriate to the discussion of different narrative genres, devices and techniques
3. recognise some of the theoretical perspectives that inform contemporary literary and cultural studies
4. demonstrate the basic skill of analytic and critical discussion, including the technical conventions proper to English
5. appreciate the historical perspectives and conventions within which literature and other cultural texts are produced.

Assessment

Short assignment (750 Words): 20%
Long assignment (1500 words): 30%
class presentation: 10%
2 hour exam: 40%

Contact hours

One x 2 hour lecture per week and one x 1 hour tutorial per week.