Universität Wien

143147 PS Introductory Seminar: African Literatures (2021W)

Ecology, Ecoactivism in Literary Discourse

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie
Continuous assessment of course work
MIXED
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

The proseminar will be on-site, combined with individual digital meetings in November and December. The sessions in October, including the first meeting on 6 October, will be on-site.

  • Wednesday 06.10. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 13.10. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 20.10. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 27.10. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 03.11. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 10.11. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 17.11. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 24.11. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 01.12. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 15.12. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 12.01. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 19.01. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Wednesday 26.01. 15:00 - 17:00 Hybride Lehre
    Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

In this proseminar, the relationship between people, communities and nature will be reflected on the basis of three novels. Overexploitation and destruction of natural resources are increasingly addressed in literary texts by African authors. In doing so, the focus is repeatedly on describing pre-capitalist knowledge and belief systems that cultivated a more respectful approach to the environment, and on developing ideas on how these values can be implemented in modern societies.
These themes will be explored through three novels from Kenya, Nigeria, and Libya, with students working in groups on one novel at a time during the semester. Students are invited to develop their own themes based on the novels.

Assessment and permitted materials

1) Collaboration and participation in discussion (oral).
2) Keeping a reading diary during the semester (written)
3) Elaboration of a concept for a proseminar paper of 1-2 pages including literature research + oral presentation of the topic with Powerpoint.
4) Proseminar paper on a self-selected topic of about 10 pages
(due: February 28, 2022).

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

1) through 3) account for 40% of the grade, and the written paper accounts for 60%.
All four requirements must be fulfilled in order to complete the proseminar positively.
Regular attendance is required; a maximum of three excused absences is permitted.
Both the novels and some of the research literature are in English, so appropriate English language skills are required.

Examination topics

No exam

Reading list

Novels:
Zakes Mda (2000) The Heart of Redness
Helon Habila (2011) Oil on Water
Rebeka Njau (2003) The Sacred Seed

Recommended reading:
Iheka, Cajetan Nwabueze (2018) Naturalizing Africa: Ecological Violence, Agency, and Postcolonial Resistance in African Literature. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Further literature will be given at the beginning of the semester and be researched independently by the students as part of the work process.

Association in the course directory

PAL 1, PAL 2

Last modified: Fr 12.05.2023 00:17