Engl 595 - The Margin and the Center: Twentieth Century Postcolonial Film, Fiction & Theory from Australia , New Zealand and Canada
In this graduate level course, the exploration into Postcolonial Studies will begin with works produced from the colonies by the gentrified settlers. Through an eclectic collection of both written and visual texts, students will be introduced to the history and literatures of Australia , New Zealand and Canada and the hierarchical relationships that exist between ethnic groups in the settler colonies as well as the different economic and cultural contexts. The study of their geographical locations, relationship with Britain, convict heritage, social class, the role of women, race relations, and war, will reflect the cultural development of these countries as colonies and nations. Through postcolonial theory, the students will understand that these literatures which have emerged out of a colonial structure are problematic and complex, and are continuously being reshaped and redefined.
Required Texts
Miles Franklin. My Brilliant Career. Harper Collins
Patrick White. The Twyborn Affair. Penguin
Keri Hulme. The Bone People. Penguin
Michael Ondaatje. Anil's Ghost. Vintage
Doris Pilkington. Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence. Miramax
Additional readings on Postcolonial Theory handed out in class.