English 382AF - Advanced Topics in English: 'Afropolitan Fictions'

What does it mean to be African in a global age? The term "Afropolitan," popularized by the writer Taiye Selasi, describes a generation of Africans shaped by migration, cultural hybridity, and ties to global cities. While often celebrated for challenging stereotypical images of Africa, Afropolitanism has also drawn criticism for its association with elite privilege and a culture of consumption. Through novels and essays by writers such as Teju Cole, Achille Mbembe, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, and Selasi, this course examines the precedents, promises, and problems of Afropolitan identity. We will consider how African writers imagine belonging, mobility, and identity in a globalized world.

Prereq: ENGL-199 and 8 credits in English.