Universität Wien
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134006 VO Colonial Past and Postcolonial Present of the Low Countries Reflected in Literature (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 13 - Europäische und Vergleichende Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft
Mo 03.03. 13:15-14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7

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Details

Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 10.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 17.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 24.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 31.03. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 07.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 28.04. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 05.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 12.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 19.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 26.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 02.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 16.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 23.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7
  • Monday 30.06. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 7 Hauptgebäude, Hochparterre, Stiege 7

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Course Content:
On 1 July 2023, 150 years after formerly enslaved people in the Dutch colonies were finally free, the Dutch King expressed apologies for the role of the Netherlands in slavery. On 30 June 2020, 60 years after the independence of Congo, the Belgian King expressed deepest regrets for colonial cruelties under Belgian rule. On 10 March 2020, The Dutch King apologized for Dutch violence inflicted on Indonesia during colonial rule. Three recent landmarks in postcolonial discourse in the Low Countries. In this course, we will explore the colonial past and postcolonial present of Belgium and the Netherlands with reference to literary texts. Of course, to appreciate a fictional text, one may require insight in the proper realities from which it originated. The reader may for instance encounter existing personalities like Stanley or Sukarno. Moreover, literary texts can illuminate perspectives from the past, and thus exemplify narratives about the past in the present. We will read excerpts, consider perspectives and narratives constructing postcolonial traces in contemporary society.

Course Aims:
Students are familiar with the colonial past of the Low Countries.
Students recognize the narratives primary literary texts present about this colonial past.
Students are able to contextualize social discourses on postcolonial issues.
Students appreciate the role of literary texts in current social discourses.

Assessment and permitted materials

The course is concluded with a (hand)written exam on location.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The exam asks for insights from the background reading and critical reading of primary texts in connection to the context as provided in secondary literature and lectures.

Examination topics

Course material includes excerpts of primary texts and selected background articles. An overview of all readings can be found in the course manual, which also includes study questions to the texts for home study. Presentation slides from the lectures will be published on Moodle.

N.B. Students in Module VI have to answer in English; other students can answer in German, or in Dutch as well.

Reading list

(Excerpts from) primary and secondary literature will be made available, either in English or in German.
N.B. Please note that reading competence in English and in German is required.

Association in the course directory

EC Niederl. Sprache und Kultur (Version 2020): Modul 1
BA Vgl. Lit.wiss M5-VO
BA Vgl. Lit.wiss. M6

Last modified: Th 16.01.2025 12:05