Comparative Literature: A New Era

This module will continue the work from Comparative Literature: Methodology and Critique, although it is its own free-standing module. In this term, the focus will be on the various cutting edges of the field. To accommodate this, the module will be updated every year, but example topics might include themes such as: decolonization, queer theory; intermediality; and digital humanities.

Students will be encouraged to consider these themes and new epistemologies through literature (updated every year) and theoretical texts, with the specific focus understanding their aesthetics in the literatures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

This module will have a team-taught component.

Prerequisites

None

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

At the end of this module students will be able to..

1. Analyse literatures from Asia, Africa and the Middle East
2. Further develop relevant themes of contemporary comparative literary studies
3. Further developme original analytic writing on the topics of the literatures of Asia. Africa and the Middle East
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the current field of comparative literature

Workload

The module will be taught over 10 weeks consisting a 1 hour lecture and 1 hour seminar each week.

Scope and syllabus

• Decolonization
• Queer theory
• Intermediality
• Digital humanities
• Body politics
• Environmentalism
• Disability studies
• Multilingualism
• Race
• Gender
• Border thinking
• Sexuality

Topics are subject to change due to team-taught structure and its relationship to current developments in the field

Method of assessment

• 30% annotated bibliography (1,500 words)
• 70% essay (2,000 words) or virtual presentation/podcast (10 minutes)
• The exact assessment deadline dates are published on the relevant module Moodle/BLE page.

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules