Universität Wien
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143522 VO African Women's Writing and Feminism in the 21st Century (2025S)

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Details

max. 50 Teilnehmer*innen
Sprache: Englisch

Lehrende

Termine (iCal) - nächster Termin ist mit N markiert

  • Montag 10.03. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 17.03. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 24.03. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 31.03. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 07.04. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 28.04. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 05.05. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 12.05. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 19.05. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 26.05. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 02.06. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 16.06. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03
  • Montag 23.06. 15:15 - 16:45 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 1 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-03

Information

Ziele, Inhalte und Methode der Lehrveranstaltung

Contents:
This lecture course follows upon VO African Women’s Writing and Feminism in the 20th-century with a focus on 21st century literature by Anglophone African women writers. This is a rich and dynamic body of writing that includes not only typically female genres such as the Bildungsroman, romance, tragedy and domestic drama, as seen in the previous century, but also traditionally male genres, such as the historical novel, science-fiction, crime thriller, memoir and magical realism, as well as completely new genres, such as chick-lit, lesbian and transgender writing, and the Afropolitan novel. As we will analyze, the new literary genres have been accompanied by a new feminist imagination and an epistemic and discursive shift in African feminism that makes it possible to see this writing as a “second-wave African feminism”. Its transnational and trans-historical feminist perspective presents an opportunity to situate African women’s literature as an integral part of women’s literary history, and African feminism as part of global feminism. By turning their attention to the female body as the prime site of women’s victimization and freedom, contemporary Anglophone African women writers reframe feminism as a demand for universal human rights while creating some of the most radical feminist texts of the present time.

Aims:
On completion of this course the student will have developed the ability to:
• identify, analyse and understand key political, philosophical and aesthetic issues in contemporary African feminist writing and its development in the 21st century
• understand the development of the discussions on African feminism, African women’s rights and African modernity in a comparative context
• apply close reading skills and critical thinking to a variety of literary texts
• reflect critically on the relations between primary texts and relevant secondary texts

Method: Lecture and discussion

Art der Leistungskontrolle und erlaubte Hilfsmittel

4 dates for the exam will be scheduled: on the last day of the course and at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the following semester.
OPTION 1: Exam written in class. The exam will consist of mini-essay questions based on texts analysed in the lectures. Approximately 20 mini-essay topics will be given. Minimum requirement: 3 mini-essays, 250 words each

OPTION 2: Argumentative essay (2,500-3,000 words) written at home and submitted on a chosen exam date. Topics will be given to choose from.

Mindestanforderungen und Beurteilungsmaßstab

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria for the exam:

3 mini-essays, 250 words each

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria for the final paper:

1) Contents (in particular detection of the central points; clear formulation, structure and organization of the argument, supported with evidence from primary and secondary sources; the ability to read text closely and interpret both form, content and context; the ability to reflect critically on the relations between primary and relevant secondary texts, instead of just citing secondary texts as a source of authority and interpretation; correctness of methodology; originality; creativity 60%

2) Format (esp. layout, formatting, and citation practice): 20%

3) Language (particularly scholarly terminology and correct use of technical terms; clear and understandable language; correct spelling, grammar, and sentence composition; style): 20%

In all three areas at least 50% of the points must be achieved in order to obtain credit. The mark breakdown is as follows:

(1) 90-100 %
(2) 80-89 %
(3) 65-79 %
(4) 50-64 %
(5) 49 -0 %

Prüfungsstoff

-Anglophone African women's writing in the context of Anglophone women's literary tradition
-21st-century African feminist writing in English
-21st-century African women's writing in the context of transnational feminism
-African women's human rights, sexuality and feminism in 21st-century African women's writing
-human rights, decolonization and modernity in 21st-century African women's writing
-the politics of representation in 21st-century African women's writing
-21st-century African women's writing and the material culture of publishing

Literatur

This is not the reading list, only the list of texts that will be covered in the lectures. Most of the texts will be provided on Moodle.

NOVELS:
Chika Unigwe, On Black Sisters’ Street (2009)
Chinelo Okparanta, Under the Udala Trees (2015)
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Purple Hibiscus (2003), Americanah (2013)
Sefi Atta, Everything Good Will Come (2005), A Bit of Difference (2013)
Lola Shoneyin, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives (2010)
Panashe Chigumadzi, Sweet Medicine (2015)
Angela Makholwa, Red Ink (2007), Black Widow Society (2013)
Kopano Matlwa, Coconut (2007), Period Pain (2016)
Kagiso Lesego Molope, This Book Betrays My Brother (2018)
Zukiswa Wanner, Maid in SA: Thirty Ways to Leave Your Madam (2010) and
Akwaeke Emezi, Freshwater (2018)
Mary Karooro Okurut, The Official Wife (2003), The Switch (2016)
Goretti Kyomuhendo, Whispers from Vera (2002)
NoViolet Bulawayo, We Need New Names (2013)
Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, The First Woman (2020)

DRAMA: Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko, Waafrika 123 (2016)

POETRY
Koleka Putuma, Collective Amnesia (2017)

SHORT STORIES:
Chimamanda Adichie, The Thing Around Your Neck (2009)
Chinelo Okparanta, Happiness, Like Water (2013)
Monica Arac de Nyeko, ‘Jambula Tree’ (2007)
Wame Molefhe, Go Tell the Sun (2011)
Doreen Baingana, Tropical Fish: Stories out of Entebbe (2005)
Sefi Atta, News from Home (2009)

MEMOIR:
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Infidel (2007)
Soraya Miré, The Girl with Three Legs (2011)
Unoma Azuah, Embracing My Shadow (2020)
Nkunzi Nkabinde, Black Bull, Ancestors and Me: My Life as a Lesbian Sangoma (2008)
Tsitsi Dangarembga, Black and Female (2022)
Reni Eddo-Lodge, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race (2017)

ESSAYS:
Chimamanda Adichie, We Should All Be Feminists (2014), Dear Ijeawele (2017)
“Chimamanda Adichie on Black Hair and the Narrow Definition of Beauty.” The Cut Magazine 2016
Josephine Ahikire,“African feminism in context: Reflections on the legitimation battles, victories and reversals.” Feminist Africa 19 (2014): 7-23.
Panashe Chigumadzi,“Why I’m No Longer Talking to Nigerians About Race” (2019)
Emma Dabiri,“Why I am not an Afropolitan.” Africa is a Country (2014)
June Eric-Udorie, ed. Can We All Be Feminists? London: Virago, 2018.
Chielozona Eze, “We, Afropolitans.” Journal of African Cultural Studies, 28(1) (2015).
Pumla Dineo Gqola, Reflecting Rogue: Inside the Mind of a Feminist (2017)
---. Rape: A South African Nightmare (2015)
---. “Ufanele uqavile: Blackwomen, feminisms and postcoloniality in Africa.” Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity 16.50 (2001): 11–22.
Goretti Kyomuhendo,“To Be an African Woman Writer: The Joys and Challenges.” In Words and Worlds: African Writing, Literature and Society, ed. by Susan Arndt – Katrin Berndt, 185 – 192. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 2005.
Desiree Lewis, “Introduction: African Feminisms.” Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity 16. 50 (2001): 4–10.
--- et al. Surfacing: On Being Black and Feminist in South Africa (2021).
Miria Matembe, “I Must Call Myself a Feminist.” Women Writing Africa: The Eastern Region, ed. Amandina Lihamba et al., 437. New York: Feminist Press, 2007.
Naomi Nkealah,“(West) African Feminisms and Their Challenges.” Journal of Literary Studies, 32.2 (2016): 61-74.
Molara Ogundipe-Leslie, Re-Creating Ourselves: African Women and Critical Transformations (1994)
Minna Salami, Ms Afropolitan (blog) https://www.msafropolitan.com
Taiye Selasi, “Bye Bye Babar.” The LIP Magazine, 2005.
Malebo Sephodi, Miss Behave. Auckland Park: Blackbird Books, 2017.
Sylvia Tamale, “African Feminism: How Should We Change?” Development 49.1 (2006)


Zuordnung im Vorlesungsverzeichnis

BA: ÜAL 1, ÜAL 2, SAL A, SAL B
MA: SAL.VO.1, SAL.VO.2
EC-148, EC-647

Letzte Änderung: Do 16.01.2025 12:25