Teaching code

4S002903

Teacher

Annalisa Pes

Coordinator

Annalisa Pes

Credits

6

Language

English

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE

Period

I semestre (Lingue e letterature straniere) dal Sep 30, 2019 al Jan 11, 2020.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning outcomes

The course, held in English, aims at introducing students to relevant aspects of English literature, from the Pre-Romantic to the Contemporary period, via the reading of a selection of canonical texts. Primary notions about possible methodological approaches for the analysis of literary texts and genres will be imparted. Furthermore, the course will provide a sound knowledge of the English literature of the period (historical context, texts, genres, literary movements and authors) and stimulate abilities and skills for the critical analysis of texts, their discussion and analysis, in consideration of their historical, cultural, and context specificities. At the end of the course, students will be able to: - Analyse the literary texts of the syllabus discussing them in relation to their historical and cultural context; - Discuss the texts using an appropriate critical approach demonstrating the knowledge of the literary conventions of their time; - Express the acquired literary and critical knowledge demonstrating an adequate competence also in the English language.

Program

WRITING BLACK LONDON
The course will provide students with an introduction to Black British literature through the analysis of novels by British writers of Caribbean and South Asian descent. The critical reading of texts in the syllabus will focus on issues related to the phenomenon of migration to multicultural London from 1970s to nowadays. In particular, it will linger on the concept of transnational and transracial identity that characterizes “new Londoners” in a process of ongoing change and re-negotiation.
The course will be held in English by means of lectures that will also allow discussion and exchange with students.

A) PRIMARY TEXTS (to be read in English):
- Hanif Kureishi, The Buddha of Suburbia (1990)
- Monica Ali, Brick Lane, 2003
- Zadie Smith, The Embassy of Cambodia (2013)

B) CRITICAL REFERENCES (compulsory):
- J. Procter, Dwelling Places. Postwar Black British Writing, Manchester University Press, 2003 (Introduction, ch. 2, ch. 4)
- A. Cormack, Migration and the Politics of Narrative Form. Realism and the Postcolonial Subject in Brick Lane. CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE, 47: 4, 2006, pp. 695-721.
- K. Nayebpour, The Challenges of multicultural London in Zadie Smith’s “The Embassy of Cambodia”. INTERACTIONS, 27: 1-2, 2018, pp. 101-112.

C) HISTORY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE:
- A. Sanders, The Short Oxford History of English Literature, OUP, 2004 (the authors and the historical and literary context of the period in program; ch. 6-10)

NON ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Non attending students are required to prepare for the exam, besides indicated texts, the following critical essays:
- K. Kaleta, Hanif Kureishi: Postcolonial Storyteller, University of Texas Press, 1998 (ch. 3)
- L.E. Roupakia, Cosmopolitanism, Religion and Ethics: Rereading Monica Ali’s Brick Lane. JOURNAL OF POSTCOLONIAL WRITING, 52: 6, 2016, pp. 645-658.
- B. Perez Zapata, Decolonising Trauma. A Study of Multidirectional Memory in Zadie Smith’s “The Embassy of Cambodia”. HUMANITIES, 4:4, 2015, pp. 523-534.

Examination Methods

Oral exam in English at the end of the course.

The exam will assess the knowledge of texts on the syllabus (A, B and C) and the capacity to critically discuss the problematic issues they deal with. In particular students will have to demonstrate:
- knowledge of texts and contexts (to know the history of migration to former British colonies, and to be able to read primary texts within their historical, geographical and political framework)
- capacity to critically comment literary texts (to be able to discuss and analyse literary texts in a thoughtful manner and with the aid of critical works);
- knowledge of the critical debate on texts (to know and be able to use theoretical tools)
- ability to express clearly and effectively the critical interpretations of texts.

REQUIREMENTS
Students will have to bring their own primary texts at the exam.
The programme will be valid for two academic years (i.e. until February 2022)