Decolonization: Literatures and Textual Arts

Teacher(s)

Vanasten Stéphanie;

Language

Dutch

Main themes

In-depth study of a literary and cultural comparative corpus related to postcolonial societies.
Critical analysis of issues connected with Memory and Colonial Past, in particular the transnational narration of memories. Special attention will be paid to the contribution of literary and artistic productions, through the (re)negotiation of intergroup relations, to a dynamic construction of collective identities.

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
.	At the end of the course, students will be able to: develop the necessary methodological competences for the in-depth study of literary and artistic productions related to the colonial past; deepen their literary and cultural knowledge; develop a critical approach in order to interpret the studied texts and to integrate the sociocultural and postcolonial context in this heuristic approach; critically interpret texts and integrate the sociocultural context in this heuristic approach; read and write scholarly essays in the domain studied.

Content

The course deals with the representation of the Belgian colonial past in Dutch-language literary texts. This colonial history has given rise to an important Dutch-language literary production from the end of the 19thcentury onward. We will try to understand how different authors, from the colonial and post-independence period until today, write the Congo and to the development of which memory/ies their texts contribute. Starting from a delimited but representative corpus, we will examine how these literary texts are related to a specific process of fictionalisation and defictionalisation. We will also examine how these texts deal with societal and ideological problems, because these issues often underlie the writing process.

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Lectures supported by audio-visual materials and combined with interactive activities. The students are expected to do some preparatory reading and research in order to take part in the discussion. If possible, the course will be organised as a seminar.

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

Continuous assessment. Active participation in the course or seminar (oral presentation, discussions and workshops) is required : 20 %. If you do not attend the course, you lose 20% of your final mark.
Group presentation of an original analysis + discussion with the other students and teacher : 30 %.
Essay based on the presentation : 40 %.
Oral exam based on the essay : 10%.

Other information

Teaching material : Texts, handouts, documents on Moodle.

Faculty or entity

ELAL