Comparative Literature 355 - Modern African Literature

This course will introduce you to recent works by writers and filmmakers from Senegal, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Algeria and Nigeria. Throughout the semester, we will explore the diverse ways in which African writers from across the continent address the major challenges of the 21st century: ethnic conflict, political corruption, the colonial legacy, modernity, nationalism, globalism, economic disparity, religious fundamentalism, and terrorism. We will pay close attention to the interplay between narrative and history, as well as to the ways in which African writers stage issues pertaining to human rights. (Gen.Ed. AL, DG)