Unit information: Postcolonial National Identities in Lusophone Africa Through Literature and Film in 2011/12

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Unit name Postcolonial National Identities in Lusophone Africa Through Literature and Film
Unit code HISP20056
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Cosme
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

None
School/department Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The aims of this course are to study and analyse a variety of socio-historical, ideological and cultural issues linked with identities and nationalism in Lusophone Africa, using analytical tools from Postcolonial Studies. This module focuses on a range of literary texts and a film from Lusophone Africa and considers especially the ways in which these works represent and dialogue with the historical national contexts from which they emerge. Students are encouraged to engage with primary materials and with the theories at the forefront of Nationalism, identity formation and Postcolonial Studies in the Lusophone African contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module students should be able to critically engage with the key issues which inform nationalism and identity in contemporary Lusophone African literatures and film, and to be able to discuss the relevance of Postcolonial approaches in these contexts. In addition, students should also be able to identify a variety of terms and concepts with which to evaluate Lusophone Postcolonial texts and contexts.

Teaching Information

Lectures and student-led seminars

Assessment Information

One summative essay of 2,000 words (one-third of mark) and one two-hour examination (two-thirds of mark).

Reading and References

  • Ferreira, Manuel, 50 Poetas Africanos (Lisboa: Plátano Editora, 1989). Excerpts of texts from poets such as Francisco José Tenreiro, Agostinho Neto and José Craveirinha
  • Pepetela, Mayombe (Lisbon: Dom Quixote, 1982)
  • Couto, Mia, O Último Voo do Flamingo (Lisbon: Caminho, 2000)
  • Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffins and Helen Tiffin (eds.), The Post-colonial Studies Reader, 2nd edition (London: Routledge, 2006) Excerpts of texts from authors such as Franz Fanon, Edward Said, Benedict Anderson, Graham Huggan)
  • Chabal, Patrick, The Postcolonial Literature of Lusophone Africa (London: Hurst, 1996)

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