Learning outcomes

The module aims at offering a general introduction to the main theoretical questions and the crucial themes that pertain to the discipline, through a critical reading of texts deemed to be representative of colonial and postcolonial literatures in English.
The module will be taught in English.

Program

"Living here, belonging...where?:Black British Diasporic Narratives"

After a necessary introduction to the discipline, through a critical reading of the scheduled novels by Samul Selvon and Zadie Smith the module will focus on themes revolving around the relationship berween diasporas of migration - and, broadly, cultural diasporas -, questioning of the concept of identity, and reshaping of the concept of Britishness.

Primary Sources:
-S. Selvon, "The Lonely Londoners" (1956)
-Z. Smith, "White Teeth" (2000)

Critical Bibliography:
Mc Leod, in "Beginning Postcolonialism" (2000): chaps. 1,7.
M. Looker, in "Atlantic Passages" (1996): Introduction (pp.1-20) and ch. 3 ("Inventing Black London: The Lonely Londoners", pp.59-80);
P. Tew, in "Reading Zadie Smith. The First Decade and Beyond" (2013):chap. 2 ("White Teeth Reconsidered")

Reference handbook (optional): Ashcroft, Griffiths, Tiffin (eds.), "Key-Concepts in Post-Colonial Studies"

Obligatory supplement readings for non-attending students:
-K. Kenny, "Diaspora: A Very Short Introduction", OUP, 2015
-P. Tew, in "Zadie Smith" (2015): "A Biographical Reading" + "White Teeth".
- Mc Leod, in "Postcolonial London. Rewriting the Metropolis" (2004):Introduction:Locating Postcolonial London" (1-23)

Examination Methods

Assessment at the end of the course, through oral examination.
Students to be examined must have passed the exams of English literature and English language of the first year.