University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 9

Semester: 1

Planned timetable: 12.00 noon Wed and 12.00 noon Fri

A diverse and contested field, postcolonialism explores a world transformed by European exploration, exploitation and empire-building. This course examines literary representations of this world and will introduce students to a range of key texts, critical debates and theoretical concepts in postcolonial studies. Focusing, in particular (but not exclusively), on the legacies of the British empire, we will explore the work of writers from across Africa, the Caribbean, India and Britain in order to question the ways in which postcolonial literature and theory challenges our understanding of race, class, gender, language and the individual. (Group E)

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass EN2003 and pass EN2004

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2 x 1-hour seminars, and 2 optional consultative hours.

Scheduled learning hours: 20

Guided independent study hours: 280

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%


Re-assessment: exam = 100%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr L M Burns
Module teaching staff: Dr Lorna Burns (LMB21)
Module coordinator email lmb21@st-andrews.ac.uk

Intended learning outcomes

• Analyse and assess the work of a range of twentieth and twenty-first century writers drawn from across the postcolonial world.
• Articulate an understanding of the relationship between literature, history and society within the context of legacies of imperialism and multiculturalism.
• Reflect upon and utilise some of the key theoretical interventions and concepts employed in the study of postcolonial literatures.
• Demonstrate an awareness of how literature and language produce and reflect cultural change and difference.
• Research, develop and present ideas effectively in written form
• Identify and discuss key literary movements and thematic issues in both postcolonial and black British and British Asian literatures.