Postcolonial Literature

This version of Postcolonial Literature will build from Edward Said's Orientalism to examine the representation of the modern Middle East in literature and film, with an emphasis on counter narratives in contemporary Arabic, Turkish, Farsi, and Hebrew literature in translation as well as works written originally in English.

We will apply postcolonial analysis and close reading to a wide range of texts including novels, plays, poetry, autobiography, memoir, young adult fiction, journalistic fiction, film, still images, graphic novels, the Internet, and so on, as we engage in close reading and critical viewing.

We will collaborate in the development of materials and a professional book for teachers forthcoming from Routledge, a major international press. (Students will be invited to sign a release allowing their names and writing to appear in the volume.)

The course will be divided into two primary sections. First, students will work individually and in groups selecting, reading, and analyzing literature addressing different topics:

• Modern Arabic Literature and Film
• Modern Iranian Literature and Film
• Modern Turkish Literature and Film
• Modern Israeli Literature and Film
• Women in Middle Eastern Literature and Film
• Palestinian Literature and Film
• Contemporary War in the Middle East
• Middle East in the West

Then these groups will lead the rest of the class in the discussion of the literature of the area they have investigated. See expectations for individual research and group leadership.

An academic blog post of approximately 300 words should be completed 2-3 times per week and these blogs will be interlinked, interactive, and woven into course discussion and writing.

Our on-line syllabus serves as an electronic, hyperlinked, resource and our class will be held in a special wireless, laptop room (3045 Brown Hall) that will accommodate a range of activities using the Internet and other technologies.

Because the course is held as a seminar, your participation is vital to your own learning and the learning of your classmates. Attendance will be taken and missing classes will lower your grade. Missing more than two classes may lead to failing. This course will follow WMU policies regarding academic honesty.

Given the experimental nature of the class this syllabus is provisional and will evolve.

WMU has many resources to foster student health and well being. I support the Safe on Campus environment (387-2123). If at any point in the semester if you feel stress, English 5390 does offer free on-line therapy from Eliza!

My office is 723 Sprau Tower, 387-2605. Office hours are Thursday from 2:00-3:50 and by appointment. You can always reach me via email.

Electronic Syllabus

Sep 10 Thursday Introduction

In class:

1. Examine Dr. Webb's blog: Middle East Interpretations

2. Create your own blog at Blogger.com. Send URL to Dr. Webb.

3. Form groups

3. Lecture "European Colonialism and Modern World Order"

Peter's Projection, Scramble for Africa,

 

Sep 17 Thursday Orientalism and "Reel Bad Arabs"

Before class:

1. Read "Literature from the Modern Middle East: Making a Living Connection" (handout)

2. Read: Orientalism (1978) pp. 1-110 & 284-328
Optional: "Orientalism" You Tube

3. View "Reel Bad Arabs" (50 mins)

 

Sep 24 Thursday Post Colonial Middle East

1. View: History of Palestine,

2. Read: "The 'Middle East'? Or ... / Arabic Literature and the Postcolonial Prediciament" by Magda M. Al-Nowaihi (p. 282-303)

3. Powerpoint: History of the Middle East

 

Oct 1 Thursday

Group 1

 

Oct 15 Thurs

Groups 1 & 2

 

Oct 22 Thursday

Group 2