Universität Wien
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143317 VO Language and Literature in their Social Contexts (2024W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 14 - Orientalistik, Afrikanistik, Indologie und Tibetologie
Moodle

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Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Thursday 10.10. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 17.10. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 24.10. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 31.10. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 07.11. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 14.11. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 21.11. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 28.11. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 05.12. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 12.12. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 09.01. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 16.01. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10
  • Thursday 23.01. 13:00 - 15:00 Inst. f. Afrikawissenschaften, Seminarraum 4 UniCampus Hof 5 2M-O1-10

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Language and Literature in their Social Contexts (lecture; 2 hours/week) BA, second year, segment "African Literature" ("overview African literature")
Course Description: This course begins with an analysis of Africa's geographical, socio-political, and socio-cultural 'map' towards an understanding of its contemporary linguistic and literary heritage. It then builds on that with a close study, with particular reference to language use, of three main bodies of African literatures: the works of Chinua Achebe, particularly 'Things Fall Apart', the works of Mariama Ba, particularly 'Une Si Longue Lettre' (So Long a Letter) and the works of Margaret Ogola, particularly “The River and the Source”. Course participants will have the opportunity to analyse, discuss, debate, and theorize how a region's socio-political and socio-cultural contexts impinge on its linguistic and literary repertoires, and vice versa.
Lectures, guest appearances, discussions, debates

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 To provide a broad, interdisciplinary introduction to Africa, with particular reference to language and literature
 To provide a broad perspective on how pre-1960s sociopolitical issues shaped literary writings
 To provide learners with the tools to critically and intelligibly talk about how post-1960s literary writings espoused social problems and their solutions

Assessment and permitted materials

Active participation during all class sessions will be the key. The course will be assessed as follows:
 Attendance and active participation in class and online discussions, debates, and exercises: 20 %
 Student presentation: 20 %
 Term paper (5 to 10 pages): 60 %

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Examination topics

Some sample exam questions at the end of the course:

With reference to themes and style of writing, including language use, in China Achebe’s Things Fall Apart or any of his other works, outline in what ways a work of literature can help you understand some important sociocultural aspects of the society in which the work is set. Provide particular instances with illustrations from different scenes in the work.

With reference to themes and style of writing, including language use, in Mariama Ba’s Une Si Longue Lettre or any of her other works, outline in what ways a work of literature can help you understand some important sociocultural aspects of the society in which the work is set. Provide particular instances with illustrations from different scenes in the work.

With reference to themes and style of writing, including language use, in Margaret Ogola’s The River and the Source or any of her other works, outline in what ways a work of literature can help you understand some important sociocultural aspects of the society in which the work is set. Provide particular instances with illustrations from different scenes in the work.

What are in your view the main advantages (or disadvantages) of a socio-cultural approach to literature? Outline in what ways an understanding of West Africa society helps understand the works of China Achebe and Mariama Ba. Illustrate with specific themes and scenes in these works.

Reading list

Textbook and references:
Teaching Resources (Course Bibliography, Audio-Visual materials, Web-based/ICT utilities, etc)
References:
1. Things Fall Apart and other works of Chinua Achebe
2. So Long a Letter and other works of Mariama Ba
3. The River and the Source and other works of Margaret Ogola
3. A selection of articles and papers on Nigerian, Senegalese and Kenyan language, society and culture (to be distributed at lectures)

Sociolinguistic profile of Nigeria:
http://www.africaworldpressbooks.com/servlet/Detail?no=194
Sociolinguistic profile of Senegal:
https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/9671/SLS1999v29.1-11Ngom.pdf?sequence=2

Sociolinguistic profile of Kenya:
http://www.lingref.com/cpp/acal/40/paper2577.pdf

Association in the course directory

ÜAS 2
SAS/A
SAS/B
SAS.VO.1
SAS.VO.2

ÜAL 2
SAL/A
SAL/B
SAL.VO1
SAL.VO2

Last modified: Th 14.11.2024 09:06