Universität Wien
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143147 PS Introductory Seminar: African Literatures (2022W)

Ousmane Sembène as Social Thinker

Continuous assessment of course work
ON-SITE

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Friday 07.10. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 14.10. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 21.10. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 28.10. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 04.11. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 11.11. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 2 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-06
  • Friday 18.11. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 25.11. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 02.12. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 09.12. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 13.01. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 20.01. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12
  • Friday 27.01. 09:00 - 11:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 3 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-12

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Along with Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Ousmane Sembène from Senegal was one of the best-known representatives of marxist art on the continent. He created his own film and literary language of socialist realism, raising awareness beyond his time of the conflicts of modernity along capital, global inequality, 'race,' class relations, and gender. His films and novels addressed violent regimes in migration from Africa to Europe (La noire de...), labor movement and anti-colonial resistance (Les bouts de bois de dieu, transl. Gods Bits of Woods), neocolonialism and critique of political elites (Xala), relations between Muslim and Christian Africa (Guelwaar), continued dependency through development relations (Guelwaar), women's emancipation (Xala), and the struggle against patriarchal violence (Molaade). The course will provide an opportunity to explore in depth the work of Ousmane Sembène and the relevance of his cinematic, literary and intellectual legacy.

Assessment and permitted materials

1) course attendance and active participation in group discussions (oral), small written assignments during the semester
2) drafting a concept for a proseminar paper of 1-2 pages including literature research
3) oral presentation of the topic with powerpoint
4) proseminar paper on a self-selected topic of about 10 pages (due on 1st March 2023)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Assessment relies on:
1) Attendance and active participation in group discussions: 20%.
2) Concept and oral presentation of the topic: 30%.
3) Proseminar paper: 50%
All requirements must be met in order to positively complete the proseminar.
Regular attendance is required, a maximum of three absences will be tolerated.
The novels and films are available partly in German and partly in English translation (from French and Wolof). Some of the secondary literature is in English, so an appropriate knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of French is an advantage.

Examination topics

No exam, see requirements above.

Reading list

Primary literature:
- Black Girl (La noire de...) (film)
- Les bouts de bois de dieu (transl. Gods Bits of Wood, novel)
- Xala (novel and film)
- Guelwaar (novel and film)
- Molaade (film)

Secondary literature:
Cole, Ernest and Diop, Oumar Chérif (eds 2016) Ousmane Sembene: Writer, Filmmaker, and Revolutionary Artist. Trenton: Africa World Press.
Gadjigo, Samba and Diop, Moustapha (eds 2010) Ousmane Sembène. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
Gadjigo, Samba (ed. 1993). Ousmane Sembène: Dialogues with Critics and Writers. Amherst, Mass.: Univ. of Massachusetts Press.

Association in the course directory

PAL 1, PAL 2

Last modified: Fr 07.10.2022 10:49