2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
ENGL32169 Contemporary South African Writing
20 creditsClass Size: 24
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 2023/24
Pre-requisite qualifications
Grade B at 'A' Level in English Literature (or equivalent) or an achieved mark of 56 or above in a Level 1 module in English (or its non-UK equivalent).This module is approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Contemporary South African writing is undergoing key transformations, marked by the decline of political protest and the resurgence of the everyday and its popular cultural focus. Likewise, these literary texts depart from more staid canonical narrative forms to reconsider and experiment with South African identities in new ways. Starting with an historical and foundational focus on the poetry of anti-Apartheid struggle (available on the VLE), our classes will move on to measure contemporary post-Apartheid literature’s newly energised approach to South African experience and representation. We will track a turn away from the politics of protest towards a preoccupation with the environment and historical trauma (Mda), the layered geographies of the street child (Duiker), and the new migrants (makwerekwere) and HIV/AIDS (Mpe).Objectives
To explore the preoccupations of South African writing (AIDS, environmentalism, migrancy), 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 South Africa and to understand its dynamic relationship to identity, politics and culture.
Learning outcomes
The current status of South African writing in the present day.
Why and how literary and cultural 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 South African writing is undergoing key transformations, marked by the decline of political protest and the resurgence of the everyday and its popular cultural focus. Likewise, these literary texts depart from more staid canonical narrative forms to reconsider and experiment with South African identities in new ways. Starting with an historical and foundational focus on the poetry of anti-Apartheid struggle (available on the VLE), our classes will move on to measure contemporary post-Apartheid literature’s newly energised approach to South African experience and representation. We will track a turn away from the politics of protest towards a preoccupation with the environment and historical trauma (Mda), the layered geographies of the street child (Duiker), and the new migrants (makwerekwere) and HIV/AIDS (Mpe).
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Private study hours | 188.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 12.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
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 type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1,750 words | 50.00 |
| Essay | 1,750 words | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Essays will comprise an abstract of 150 words, followed by an essay of 1600 words. Guidance will be given on how to write an abstract by the tutor.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 28/04/2023 14:39:50
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