Universität Wien

135031 PS PS Lit.Theorie: De-centering the Colonial Library: Mudimbe and Ngugi’s Theoretical/Cultural Legacies (2025W)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 13 - Europäische und Vergleichende Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft
Prüfungsimmanente Lehrveranstaltung
Moodle
Mi 12.11. 16:00-17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG

An/Abmeldung

Hinweis: Ihr Anmeldezeitpunkt innerhalb der Frist hat keine Auswirkungen auf die Platzvergabe (kein "first come, first served").

Details

max. 30 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

The course will alternate between Onsite and Online Sessions. The first session on October 8, 2025, will take place Onsite.

Karibuni!

  • Mittwoch 01.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 08.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 15.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 22.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 29.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 05.11. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 19.11. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 26.11. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 03.12. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 10.12. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 17.12. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 07.01. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 14.01. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 21.01. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG
  • Mittwoch 28.01. 16:00 - 17:30 Seminarraum 3 Sensengasse 3a 1.OG

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

Valentin Yves Mudimbe (1941-2025) and Ngugi wa Thiong’o (1938-2025) have significantly influenced the discipline of African(a) Studies, especially the sub-disciplines of philosophy, linguistics, literature, and cultural studies. Their poems, plays, novels, and critical essays always interrogated the Western construction of ‘Africa’ while offering useful tools to 're-member' 'Africa' (Ngugi) and to engage with African affairs and the relations of Africa to/and the 'Western world'.
In this Proseminar, we will read and discuss some of their pioneering theoretical and cultural contributions to the humanities and social sciences that take us outside the Western box and invite us to (un)learn from 'the colonial library' (Mudimbe) and to 'move the centre' (Ngugi).
Goals
1. To outline Mudimbe and Ngugi’s literary, theoretical, and cultural contributions to African(a) Studies and Studies of Africa.
2. To bring their approaches into a conversation with general literary and cultural theories.
3. To highlight the entanglements between literatures and literary theories from ‚Africa‘ and the ‚World‘.
4. To encourage my co-teachers to develop a critical reading of literary and cultural theories.
5. To develop comparative research and presentation skills.

Content
Selected literary and theoretical works, essays, and book chapters.
Methods
1. Group work throughout the semester
2. Group research and oral presentations on selected topics/books
3. Active and creative participation in class
The Proseminar will be held in English. Knowledge of French will be helpful.

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

Expectations for students and breakdown of the final grade
1. Regular and active participation in class
2. Group oral presentations
3. Critical reading, thinking, handling, and writing
4. Preparation and participation in the legacies’ day in May 2026 (50%)

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

Expectations for students and breakdown of the final grade
1. Regular and active participation in class
2. Group oral presentations
3. Critical reading, thinking, handling, and writing
4. Preparation and participation in the legacies’ day in May 2026 (50%)

Prüfungsstoff

Literatur

Reading list (No worries! To be read in groups!)
Valentin Yves Mudimbe
On African Fault Lines: Meditations on Alterity Politics, University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2013.
The Invention of Africa: Gnosis, Philosophy and the Order of Knowledge, Indiana University Press,1988.
L’Odeur du père, Présence Africaine,1982.
L’Ecart, 1979; trans. asThe Riftby Marjolijn de Jager, 1993.
Entre les eaux(1973); trans. asBetween Tidesby Stephen Baker, 1991.

Ngugi wa Thiong’o
Globalectics: Theory and the Politics of Knowing, Columbia University Press, 2014.
Penpoints, Gunpoints and Dreams, Oxford University Press, 1998.
Moving the Centre: Struggle For Cultural Freedoms, James Currey Ltd, London, 1993.
Decolonising the Mind, James Currey Ltd, London, 1986.
Petals of Blood, Heinemann, London, 1977.

Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

BA M3

Letzte Änderung: Mi 17.09.2025 13:26