African Literatures 2 3600-7-AF2-LAJE2
The lecture aims to convey knowledge about the literatures of sub-Saharan Africa and present their general panorama. Both written literature and oration will be discussed.
The main subject of the lecture will be literature created by African writers in European languages: English, French, Portuguese. A review of subsequent historical and literary periods and the most important authors from individual countries will be preceded by a presentation of the determinants of creativity – the role and status of European languages in Africa during colonization, education conducted in these languages and, as a consequence, their choice as a language of writing.
Selected issues of the history of literatures in native languages, including in particular those taught in the Department of African Languages and Cultures, i.e. Swahili, Hausa and Amharic, will also be discussed in a narrower scope.
The issue of the choice of the language of literary creation will also be raised in relation to African authors writing in the European language and their mother tongue (Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Okot p'Bitek, Alexis Kagame, Joseph Rabearivelo, Boubacar, Boris Diop).
The winter semester will be devoted to general issues related to African literary creation, English-language literature and writing in Hausa, Swahili and Amharic.
During the summer semester, French and Portuguese-language literature of Africa will be presented, as well as essentially African literature written in other European languages (Spanish, German, Italian), as well as selected profiles of writers writing in two languages (native and European).
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Effects:
KNOWLEDGE
Student
is able to name and characterize the basic cultural phenomena of a selected region of Africa
has basic knowledge of the principles of translation from a selected African language into Polish
has a basic orientation in the contemporary cultural life of the selected region of Africa
knows and understands the basic methods of analysis and interpretation of various cultural products specific to selected theories and schools of research in the field of cultural studies and literary studies, linguistics, philosophy and religious studies and history
knows and understands the basic methods of analysis and interpretation of various cultural products specific to the native traditions of selected regions of Africa
ABILITIES
can identify the sources of cultural differences between African countries
is able to read, analyse and interpret literary texts and other works of cultural creativity (film, press, social literature) of a selected region of Africa, correctly placing them in a cultural context
is able to compare and notice the relationships between selected literary texts and other works of cultural creativity (film, press, social literature) of a selected region of Africa, and the issues of tradition and contemporaneity
is able to indicate the most important intellectual issues, dilemmas, aesthetic preferences formulated within the culture of a selected region of Africa
can translate literary texts/literature from a selected African language into Polish
is able to interpret key concepts of African cultures through linguistic/philological analysis
can function correctly in the linguistic and cultural environment of a selected region of Africa
has the ability to present detailed issues in the field of cultural issues of a selected region of Africa in Polish and in a selected African language, taking into account the intellectual tradition of selected regions of Africa
SOCIAL COMPETENCES
understands the need for lifelong learning
is able to adequately define goals and ways of achieving them in the field of scientific, professional and social activity
is aware of cultural diversity and its religious, philosophical, moral and historical sources and its significance for understanding the modern world
sees the need for intercultural dialogue
is aware of the importance of the culture of African countries in world culture
works to share and promote the cultural and linguistic heritage of a selected region of Africa
recognizes the positive socio-cultural values of the selected region of Africa, which can be used for personal development and effective intercultural communication
Program effects
Student
K_W01 has structured basic knowledge in the field of science and scientific disciplines appropriate to the field of study
K_W02 has structured basic knowledge, covering selected areas in the field of science and scientific disciplines, appropriate to the field of study, oriented towards practical applications in the selected sphere of activity
K_W03 knows the basic terminology in the field of science and scientific disciplines specific to the field of study
K_U09 has the ability to substantively argue using the views of other authors and formulate conclusions
K_U10 is able to communicate using various communication channels and techniques, with specialists in the fields of science and scientific disciplines appropriate to the field of study, in Polish and a foreign language
K_U11 has the ability to prepare typical written works in Polish and a foreign language, considered to be basic for fields of science and scientific disciplines, appropriate to the field of study, concerning specific issues, using basic theoretical approaches, as well as various sources
K_U12 has the ability to prepare oral presentations, in Polish and a foreign language, on specific issues, using basic theoretical approaches, as well as various sources
K_K02 is able to interact and work in a group, taking on different roles in it
K_K03 is able to properly determine priorities for the implementation of the task specified by him or others
K_K05 is aware of the responsibility to preserve the diverse cultural heritage, without being limited to a selected region or to Europe
Student workload per semester:
– 30 hours of participation in the lecture (the so-called contact lectures),
– 60 hours of own work (preparation for the exam, reading literary texts, work necessary to achieve the assumed learning outcomes).
Assessment criteria
Passing the lecture based on attendance, final grade based on the exam.
2 unexcused absences in the semester are al-lowed, Absence (excused or not) for more than 4 lectures results in failure of the lecture and the need to repeat classes
Practical placement
none
Bibliography
The literature on the subject given below is a supplementary and broadening literature on various aspects of the topics covered in class.
1. Gérard Albert S. (ed) (1986), European-Language Writing in Subsaharan Africa, Amsterdam – Philadelphia, John Benjamins Publishing Company
2. Kalinowska E. (2018), „Postkolonialne dzieci francuskojęzycznej literatury afrykańskiej”, Afryka 48. Artykuł do pobrania: http://cejsh.icm.edu.pl/cejsh/element/bwmeta1.element.desklight-0c19f765-138e-4209-adfd-ffac82680559
3. Kesteloot L. (2001), Histoire de la littérature négro-africaine, Paris, Karthala
4. Krzywicki J. (2002), Wprowadzenie do imaginarium literatury afrykańskiej. Cz. I. W kręgu tradycji, Warszawa, Dialog
5. idem (2007), Wprowadzenie do imaginarium literatury afrykańskiej. Cz. II Rozliczenie z kolonializmem, Warszawa, Wyd. TRIO
6. Leopold W. (1973), O literaturze Czarnej Afryki, Warszawa, Państwowy Instytut Wydawniczy
7. Ricard A. (1995), Littératures d’Afrique noire : des langues aux livres, Paris, Karthala-CNRS
8. Szupejko M. (2007), Afrykańska tożsamość u progu XXI wieku. Anglojęzyczna literatura Czarnej Afryki i jej twórcy, Warszawa, Wyd. ASKON
9. Literatura na Świecie 1-2 / 1999 Francuskojęzyczna powieść afrykańska
10. Literatura na Świecie 5-6 / 2012 LuzoAfryka
11. Literatura na Świecie 7-8 / 2013 Madagaskar
12. Literatura na Świecie 7-8 / 2014 Etiopia
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: