Comparative Literature 206 - EMPATHY, RAGE & OUTRAGE

This colloquium will examine the representations of female genital cutting through literature and film of the African and the Diaspora. Using a variety of documents?literary, films, cartoons, posters, essays, manuals, and legal texts?we will focus especially on the politics and controversies surrounding this issue by posing and answering the following questions: what are the parameters of the discourse of female genital cutting? What is the appropriate way to name and combat the practice? Who is authorized to speak on behalf of African women? Why has Western feminist insurgency failed to register any meaningful success in promoting change? Is there any relationship between imperialism and the discourse of female genital excision? Enrollment limit of 20.