The African Novel
- Arts
- 200 level
- 3 credit units
- 238 pages
- 25 units
This course introduces students to the African novel, exploring its origins, development, and evolution from oral traditions to contemporary forms. It examines the socio-cultural and political experiences that have shaped various themes within African novels, distinguishing them from Western literature. The course covers major blocs of African novels, including Francophone, Anglophone, and Lusophone works, and analyzes thematic concerns of modern writers, focusing on style, language, and structure. Students will develop critical interpretation skills.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 150 hours
- Maths
- None
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ENG281, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ENG281 · UNIT 1: THE AFRICAN NOVEL: POLEMICS OF A DEFINITION
The dates for submission of all assignments will be communicated to you. You will also be told the date for completing the study units and dates for examinations.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the evolution of the African novel.
- Identify major themes and styles in African novels.
- Analyze the impact of colonialism on African literature.
- Critically evaluate different blocs of African novels.
- Interpret contemporary trends in African writing.
What it prepares you for
- Literary Critic
- Editor
- Lecturer
- Writer
- Cultural Analyst
- Publishing
- Education
- Journalism
- Cultural Research
- Creative Writing
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: The Rise of the African Novel
Unit 1: The African Novel: Polemics of a Definition
The polemics of defining African literature requires understanding diverse perspectives and historical contexts.
- Module 3: Varieties of the African Novels
Unit 2: African Novel and Marxism
Analyzing the influence of Marxism on African novels requires understanding complex socio-political theories.
- Module 5: Contemporary African Novels/Themes
Unit 1: The New Writers in Africa
Understanding the nuances of magical realism requires careful analysis of symbolic elements and cultural contexts.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 105 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: The Rise of the African Novel
Unit 1: The African Novel: Polemics of a Definition · 3 hours
Understand the polemics surrounding the definition of the African novel.. Examine the various ideological dispositions that have shaped its identity.. Discuss the challenges in categorizing African fiction..
Unit 2: Beginning of the Novel in Africa 1: Orality · 3 hours
Identify the oral traditions that influenced the beginning of the African novel.. Explore the role of orality in shaping early African literature.. Discuss the relationship between African oral narrative forms and the written novel..
- Week 2Module 1: The Rise of the African Novel
Unit 3: Beginning of the Novel in Africa 2: Pamphleteering · 3 hours
Examine the role of pamphleteering in the development of African fiction.. Discuss the characteristics of market literature, including Onitsha and Kano Market Literatures.. Explain how pamphlets transitioned into novels..
Unit 4: The Rise of Formal Novels · 3 hours
Explore the emergence of formal novels in Africa.. Understand the distinctions between urban, rural, and classless novels.. Discuss the role of early African novels in the fight for independence..
Unit 5: The African Milieu and the African Novel · 3 hours
Analyze the relationship between the African milieu and the African novel.. Discuss the portrayal of African society, culture, and personality in African novels.. Explain the role of the African novel as a custodian of tradition..
- Week 3Module 2: Major Themes & Threads in African Novel
Unit 1: Politics of Land · 4 hours
Examine the theme of land possession and dispossession in East African novels.. Discuss the politics of land in Ngugi wa Thiong'o's novels.. Understand the impact of colonialism on land ownership in East Africa..
Unit 2: Politics of Apartheid · 4 hours
Understand the meaning and origin of apartheid.. Discuss the portrayal of apartheid in South African novels.. Analyze the impact of apartheid on South African society and individuals..
Unit 3: Independent Africa · 4 hours
Explore the theme of independence in African novels.. Discuss the different views of novelists on post-colonial Africa.. Understand the shift in focus from colonial experience to pure African experience..
- Week 4Module 2: Major Themes & Threads in African Novel
Unit 4: Politics of Corruption · 4 hours
Examine the theme of corruption in African novels.. Discuss the portrayal of corruption in Achebe's and Armah's works.. Understand the impact of corruption on African societies..
Unit 5: Politics of Militarism · 4 hours
Explore the theme of militarism in African novels.. Discuss the portrayal of military rule in Achebe's and other authors' works.. Understand the impact of militarism on African societies..
- Week 5Module 3: Varieties of the African Novels
Unit 1: Anti-Colonial African Novel · 5 hours
Understand the reasons for anti-colonial themes in African novels.. Discuss anti-colonial subject matters in African novels.. Realize that African literature is often a reaction to history and experiences..
Unit 2: African Novel and Marxism · 5 hours
Understand what Marxism is and how African writers have responded to it.. Appreciate African novels with Marxist themes.. Assess Marxist tendencies in African novels..
- Week 6Module 3: Varieties of the African Novels
Unit 3: Novel of Social Realities · 6 hours
Understand that African novels are products of African social environment.. Explain why the African novelists project social mores.. Relate the form of African novels to African experiences..
- Week 7Module 3: Varieties of the African Novels
Unit 4: Gender & Class in African Novel · 6 hours
Understand what gender issues are in the African novel.. Appreciate African novels with gender themes.. Recognize gender themes in African novels..
- Week 8Module 3: Varieties of the African Novels
Unit 5: War Fiction · 6 hours
Understand the reasons for military politics in Africa.. Assess the extent of military damage in African politics.. Appreciate the use of militarism as theme in African fiction..
- Week 9Module 4: Major Blocs of African Novels
Unit 1: The Francophone Africa Fiction · 6 hours
Identify novels that centre on independent African experiences.. See the different views of novelists in post-colonial Africa.. Discuss the shift in focus from colonial experience to pure African experience..
Unit 2: North African Novels · 6 hours
Understand the reasons for anti-colonial themes in African novels.. Appreciate African novels with anti-colonial themes.. Discuss anti-colonial subject matters in African novels..
- Week 10Module 4: Major Blocs of African Novels
Unit 3: The Lusophonic African Fiction · 6 hours
Understand what gender issues are in the African novel.. Appreciate African novels with gender themes.. Recognize gender themes in African novels..
- Week 11Module 4: Major Blocs of African Novels
Unit 4: Central African Blocs · 6 hours
Understand the reasons for military politics in Africa.. Assess the extent of military damage in African politics.. Appreciate the use of militarism as theme in African fiction..
- Week 12Module 4: Major Blocs of African Novels
Unit 5: Ethnic Novels in West Africa · 6 hours
Understand the reasons for anti-colonial themes in African novels.. Appreciate African novels with anti-colonial themes.. Discuss anti-colonial subject matters in African novels..
- Week 13Module 5: Contemporary African Novels/Themes
Unit 1: The New Writers in Africa · 6 hours
Categorize African writers as new writers and other generation writers.. Appreciate the novel of new writers in thematic content.. Differentiate the new writers from other generations..
Unit 2: The Diaspora Novelists · 6 hours
Distinguish between diaspora Africa writers and African American writers.. Appreciate the thematic patterns in diaspora novels.. Compare the treatment of Africa and African values in diaspora novels with those of the writers in Africa..
Preparing for the exam
- Create a timeline of key events in the development of the African novel.
- Develop a comparative chart of themes across different African blocs.
- Prepare summaries of major authors and their works.
- Practice analyzing excerpts from African novels.
- Review all assignments and tutor feedback to identify areas for improvement.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ENG281 about?
This course introduces students to the African novel, exploring its origins, development, and evolution from oral traditions to contemporary forms. It examines the socio-cultural and political experiences that have shaped various themes within African novels, distinguishing them from Western literature. The course covers major blocs of African novels, including Francophone, Anglophone, and Lusophone works, and analyzes thematic concerns of modern writers, focusing on style, language, and structure. Students will develop critical interpretation skills.
How many units does ENG281 have?
ENG281, The African Novel, has 25 units across 5 modules, over 238 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ENG281?
ENG281 carries 3 credit units, at 200 level in Arts.
Is ENG281 hard?
ENG281 is rated intermediate level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does ENG281 take to study?
About 150 hours of study, spread across its 25 units.
How is ENG281 assessed?
ENG281 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What can I do with ENG281?
Literary Critic, Editor, Lecturer, Writer and Cultural Analyst.