Subtitle: Nigerian Literature
Rather than attempt to cover all the colonized places of the world, this course will take an in-depth look at one very remarkable country: Nigeria, the most populous and ethnically diverse country in Africa. We will examine some of the complex relationships between colonialism and literature—ranging from oral traditions to poetry, novels, and film—via the history of Nigeria and the indigenous traditions of the various ethnic groups that gave rise to:
The first African writer in English, Olaudah Equiano
The “father” of African Literature, Chinua Achebe
The “mother” of African Literature, Flora Nwapa
Nobel Prize Laureate, Wole Soyinka
Booker-Prize winner, Ben Okri
McArthur Fellow and “the voice of global feminism, Chimananda Ngozi Adichie
The second-largest film industry in the world: Nollywood
Along the way we will learn about the ancient kingdoms that existed for centuries prior to any direct contact with Europe and learn about how differences in political structure, culture (including oral traditions), and environment influenced the development of modern Nigerian literature. We will also look at the very profound ramifications of what it means to live in a time and place where writing can lead to imprisonment, exile, and death. Finally, we will also look at the latest manifestation of the Nigerian will to tell stories: Nollywood, the second-largest film industry in the world, with an audience that spans the globe.
This is NOT a writing intensive course, which means your grade will be mainly based on keeping up with the readings, participating in discussions, and attending class regularly.
For this reason, attendance, preparation, and participation are imperative. This course might not make you a better writer (well, it very well might. but your grade won’t depend on it), but you will definitely see the world, and literature, differently after this class.
Student Learning Outcomes: In this course you will:
Develop and hone your “close reading” skills
Develop an appreciation of the material, historical, political, and cultural opportunities and obstacles that influence the development of a national literature
Develop an understanding of fundamental differences in the contexts, practices, and
purposes of oral and written forms of expression
Develop an understanding of the ways in which colonial practices influence the goals and themes of colonial, post colonial, and “globalized” literatures
Develop knowledge and appreciation of Nigerian cultures and literature
MAJOR TEXTS
Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or
Gustavus Vassa, the African
D. O. Fagunwa, Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale (Forest of 1000 Daemons: A
Hunter’s Saga) (1938)
Amos Tutuola, The Palm-Wine Drinkard (1952)
Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart (1958)
Flora Nwapa, Efuru (1966)
Wole Soyinka, Death and the King’s Horsemen (1975)
Buchi Emecheta, The Joys of Motherhood (1979)
Ben Okri, The Famished Road (1991)
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Short Stories (TBD)
MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS
Daily Study Question
Daily Reading Quiz
Oral Report on an author or event in Nigerian history
Reading Log
Midterm (Take Home Essay Exam)
Final Exam (Take Home Essay Exam)