Universität Wien

140248 VO Literature in the Field: The Work of African Writers' Organisations (2015W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie
Moodle

Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 15.10. 11:00 - 14:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Thursday 29.10. 11:00 - 14:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Thursday 12.11. 11:00 - 14:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Thursday 26.11. 11:00 - 14:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Thursday 14.01. 11:00 - 14:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Thursday 21.01. 11:00 - 14:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Thursday 28.01. 11:00 - 14:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The last two decades have seen the emergence of writers’ collectives and initiatives in a number of African countries. These 'literary NGOs' as termed by Doreen Strauhs cover a range of activities in the fields of cultural production and activism from creating publishing opportunities to organizing writing workshops in African and European languages, collecting life histories and testimonies or integrating digital and social media into the field of cultural production. Organizations such as FEMRITE in Uganda, KWANI Trust in Kenya, Youth Literacy in Rwanda, or the Zimbabwe Women Writers are thus bringing new dynamics into African cultural and intellectual life and contribute to a popularization of writing and reading cultures.
This course will take a look at this cultural activism and analyze it against the backdrop of frameworks of literacy education, multilingualism and language politics, gender politics and cultural funding at national and international levels.

Assessment and permitted materials

Written summaries of research articles and book chapters; participation in class discussions; final essay (approx. 8 pages).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Critical understanding of social, political and cultural dimensions of writing and publishing in contemporary African societies.

Examination topics

After a general introduction each session takes up one particular organisation whose work will be portrayed and discussed in its national context.

Reading list

Arndt, Susan and Katrin Berndt (eds.) Words and Worlds: African Writing, Theatre, and Society. Trenton, NJ et al.: Africa World Press, 2007.
Larson, Charles R. The Ordeal of the African Writer. London: Zed Books, 2001.
Strauhs, Doreen. African Literary NGOs: Power, Politics, and Participation. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2013.

Further material, weblinks and critical essays will be available on Moodle.

Association in the course directory

SAL, EC-148;
SPL 13: BA-5
SPL 12: MA 844 M-07

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:34