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2019/20 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ENGL32157 Contemporary African Writing

20 creditsClass Size: 30

School of English

Module manager: Dr Brendon Nicholls
Email: b.l.nicholls@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Pre-requisite qualifications

Grade B at 'A' Level in English Language or Literature or equivalent or an achieved mark of 56 or above in a Level 1 module in English.

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Contemporary African writing is undergoing key transformations, from the new wave of life-writing to the resurgence of the short story. Likewise, the literary and autobiographical texts depart from more staid canonical forms to reconsider African identities in new ways. We increasingly see the emergence of emboldened feminist, transnational or queer narratives alongside more conventional explorations of language as a medium of expression. The module will invite students to consider a broad range of contemporary African genres and prose styles, emphasizing the diversity of African experience and representation.

Objectives

To explore three important genres of African writing (novels, short stories, life-writing), as they are emerging in the present day.
- To examine how narratives are told, why they are told, and why they are studied.
- To learn to engage directly with new writing from Africa and to understand its dynamic relationship to identity, politics and culture

Learning outcomes
- The current status of African writing in the present day.
- Why and how genres and narratives circulate, and how to develop a critical understanding of their cultural functions.
- Reflection upon critical writing and intellectual purpose

Skills outcomes
Skills for effective communication, oral and written.
Capacity to analyse and critically examine diverse forms of discourse.
Ability to acquire quantities of complex information of diverse kinds in a structured and systematic way.
Capacity for independent thought and judgement.
Critical reasoning.
Research skills, including information retrieval skills, the organisation of material, and the evaluation of its importance.
IT skills.
Time management and organisational skills.
Independent learning.


Syllabus

Contemporary African writing is undergoing key transformations, from the new wave of life-writing to the resurgence of the short story. Likewise, the literary and autobiographical texts depart from more staid canonical forms to reconsider African identities in new ways. We increasingly see the emergence of emboldened feminist, transnational or queer narratives alongside more conventional explorations of language as a medium of expression. The module will invite students to consider a broad range of contemporary African genres and prose styles, emphasizing the diversity of African experience and representation.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Consultation31.003.00
Lecture21.002.00
Seminar101.0010.00
Private study hours185.00
Total Contact hours15.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)200.00

Private study

Teaching will be through weekly seminars (10 x 1 hour) plus lectures (2 x 1 hour) and essay consultation and feedback sessions.

Private study: Reading, seminar preparation and essay writing.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Contributions to Seminars
- Feedback on 1700 word essay

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2,750 words - this essay will require students to include a reflective personal statement in which they showcase their scholarly agenda and intellectual approach66.70
Essay1,700 words - this essay will require students to include a reflective personal statement in which they showcase their scholarly agenda and intellectual approach33.30
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/04/2019

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