140264 VO Resistance and Social Engagement in Postcolonial African Literature: Africa in the Global Context (2016S)

To complete this course, the student must write the final essay on one of the topics given. There will be at least 20 different topics, each of which concerns 1 or 2 novels, and each student is free to choose any topic. This is an argumentative essay supported with evidence from primary texts and engagement with secondary sources. The essay tests the knowledge of the text and context, close reading skills, inference (deduction), ability to think critically, make connections, and express own opinions. Original observations or arguments are not required to pass but are required if the students wants to earn the highest mark.

Assessment criteria (in the order of importance):
1) The soundness and logic of the argument
2) The ability to identify, analyse and understand the theoretical, historical, and political context of the texts and to make connections
3) The ability to read text closely and interpret both form and content
4) The ability to reflect critically on the relations between primary texts and relevant secondary texts, instead of just citing critics as a source of authority and interpretation
5) Grammar and composition
6) Presentation and style