Literature and Immigration

LA CL LI 310
Credit hours 3
Contact hours 45

This course explores the theme of the immigrant in contemporary postcolonial literature. The focus will be on both fictional and non fictional modes of transcribing the experience of dislocation. A special emphasis will be given to the role played by literary tradition in the writer's shaping of his/her identity: therefore the first lessons will provide students with the basic theoretical tools to help them discuss a literary text (especially autobiographical writings). Experiment in form as well as significant innovations in content will be dealt with in depth. Readings will include works by J.M. Coetzee, Michael Ondaatje, Bharati Mukherjee. No prerequisites.