English 238 - Spring, 2013

Special Topics in Literary Theory

Topic: Postcolonial Theory

Class Information

Instructor: Lloyd, David
CRN: 42667
Time: M 3:10-6:00
Location: 248 Voorhies

Description

This course is intended to introduce fundamental concepts and debates in the study of colonial and post-colonial cultures, including some work on theories of race and modernity. The course is thus not intended to introduce literary works of the third world, for example, but to provide an overview of the principal terms within which such works have been understood. We will be looking at critical responses to the histories and varieties of modern imperialism, principally British, French and Latin American; at the rise of nationalisms and ideas of nationalist culture; at the function of literature in nationalist movements; at colonial ideology and state formations; at critiques of both nationalism and colonialism from a number of perspectives, including those of feminism and "subaltern" movements; at concepts like "postcoloniality", "race" and "racialization", decolonization, internal colonialism, the "third world", development, and orientalism. The course is intended to be of use to students expecting to do further work on colonial and postcolonial cultures, literatures or histories and some willingness to read around independently and to bring into discussion works not on the syllabus is anticipated. In addition to the required anthology, a supplementary reader of essays and extracts will be provided.

Grading

Final "conference" paper (8-10 pp): 70%

Participation: 15%

Presentation: 15%

Texts

Colonial Discourse and Postcolonial Theory. A Reader, Patrick Williams and Laura Chrisman