Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
ENG417Arts3 Unitsintermediate

Postcolonial African Literature

This course introduces students to postcolonial African literature and theory. It explores the complex and controversial aspects of post-colonial writings, examining major proponents of postcolonial theory and using African texts to analyze the nature of postcolonialism. The course aims to engage students in a dialogue on intercultural encounters, highlighting the diversity within African literature and its connection to socio-cultural and political conditions. It develops a discussion on the theory and issues that inform and affect African literature.

Generate AI Study Notes

Transform this course into personalized study materials with AI

200h
Study Time
13
Weeks
15h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
PostcolonialismAfrican LiteratureColonialismTheoryIdentity

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Postcolonial Theory

2

African Literature

3

Colonialism

4

Identity

5

Representation

6

Cultural Studies

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Literary Critic

Apply your skills in this growing field

Cultural Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Researcher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationPublishingJournalismCultural HeritageResearch

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: An Overview of Postcolonial Theory

2h

Unit 1: Postcolonial Theory: A Plethora of Definitions

2 study hours
  • •Understand the emergence of postcolonial theory
  • •Define post-colonialism
  • •Locate the signification of the prefix ‗post' in postcolonial theory
Week
2

Module 1: An Overview of Postcolonial Theory

2h

Unit 2: Stages of Postcolonial Theory

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the categories of postcolonial theory
  • •Understand Anti-Colonial Revolutionaries
  • •Explore Feminist Postcolonial Critics
Week
3

Module 1: An Overview of Postcolonial Theory

2h

Unit 3: Central Tenets of Postcolonial Theory

2 study hours
  • •Outline the central tenets of postcolonial theory
  • •Understand the concept of ‗othering'
  • •Examine the role of power, economics, politics, religion, and culture
Week
4

Module 1: An Overview of Postcolonial Theory

2h

Unit 4: Key Terminologies in Postcolonial Theory

2 study hours
  • •Explain terminologies associated with postcolonialism
  • •Understand discourse and colonialist discourse
  • •Explore Hybridity, Mimicry, and Otherness
Week
5

Module 2: Major Proponents of Postcolonial Theory

2h

Unit 1: Edward Said

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the influence of Edward Said on postcolonial studies
  • •Explain Said's theoretical postulations
  • •Understand Orientalism and the worldliness of the text
Week
6

Module 2: Major Proponents of Postcolonial Theory

2h

Unit 2: Homi Bhabha

2 study hours
  • •Discuss Homi Bhabha's theoretical postulations
  • •Explain Bhabha's contributions to postcolonial studies
  • •Understand concepts like Hybridity and Mimicry
Week
7

Module 2: Major Proponents of Postcolonial Theory

2h

Unit 3: Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak

2 study hours
  • •Discuss Gayatri Spivak's theoretical postulations
  • •Explain Spivak's contributions to postcolonial studies
  • •Understand Deconstruction Theory, Marxism, and Feminism
Week
8

Module 3: Africa in the Eyes of Europe: Colonial Representations of Africa in Literature

2h

Unit 1: Literature in the Service of Empire: Colonial Representations of Africa in Literature

2 study hours
  • •Explain how Europe perceives Africa
  • •Understand the role of travel writings in portraying Africa
  • •Analyze colonial representations of Africa
Week
9

Module 3: Africa in the Eyes of Europe: Colonial Representations of Africa in Literature

2h

Unit 2: Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the negative portrayal of Africa in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness
  • •Justify Conrad's portrayal as Eurocentric
  • •Understand Chinua Achebe's response to Conrad
Week
10

Module 3: Africa in the Eyes of Europe: Colonial Representations of Africa in Literature

2h

Unit 3: Joyce Cary's Mister Johnson

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the negative portrayal of Africa in Joyce Cary's Mister Johnson
  • •Justify Cary's portrayal as Eurocentric
  • •Understand Chinua Achebe's response to Cary
Week
11

Module 3: Africa in the Eyes of Europe: Colonial Representations of Africa in Literature

2h

Unit 4: Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe

2 study hours
  • •Discuss the negative portrayal of Africa in Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe
  • •Justify Defoe's portrayal as Eurocentric
  • •Analyze colonial representations of Africa
Week
12

Module 4: Postcolonial African Literature

2h

Unit 2: Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart as a Postcolonial Text

2 study hours
  • •Analyze Achebe's Things Fall Apart as a postcolonial text
  • •Discuss Achebe's novel as a counter-narrative
  • •Understand the themes of colonialism and identity
Week
13

Module 4: Postcolonial African Literature

4h

Unit 3: J.M Coetzee's Foe as a Postcolonial Text

2 study hours
  • •Analyze Coetzee's Foe as a postcolonial African novel
  • •Justify Coetzee's novel as a counter-narrative
  • •Understand the themes of colonialism and identity

Unit 4: Ayi Kwei Armah's The Beautiful Ones are Not Yet Born as a Postcolonial Text

2 study hours
  • •Analyze Armah's The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born as a postcolonial text
  • •Discuss Armah's novel as a critique of postcolonial society
  • •Understand the themes of corruption and disillusionment

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of key events and publications in postcolonial literature to understand the historical context.

2

Develop concept maps linking key theorists like Said, Bhabha, and Spivak to their core ideas and relevant texts.

3

Practice analyzing excerpts from the primary texts (e.g., Things Fall Apart, Heart of Darkness) using postcolonial theoretical frameworks.

4

Focus on understanding the central themes of identity, representation, and resistance in postcolonial African literature.

5

Prepare detailed notes on the key criticisms and debates surrounding postcolonial theory and specific authors/texts.

6

Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and identify areas needing further clarification or study.

7

Allocate study time proportionally based on the weight of each module in the final examination.

Related Courses

Other courses in Arts that complement your learning

ISL471

Contribution Of West African Scholars To Islamic Thought

3 Units
CRS471

Research Methods

2 Units
ISL435

Textual Studies Of Hadith

2 Units
View All Arts Courses