University of Liege | Version française
Study programmes 2009-2010Last update : 28/06/2010
LGER0067-5  English literature c (Nation and immigration in contemporary British literature)
Duration :  30h Th
Credits/ECTS :  
Master in Modern Languages and Literatures : General, Teaching Focus, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Modern Languages and Literatures : General, Teaching Focus, 2nd yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Modern Languages and Literatures: German, Dutch and English Searching Focus , 1st yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Modern Languages: German, Dutch and English Teaching Focus, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Modern Languages and Literatures: German, Dutch and English Searching FocusPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Modern Languages and Literatures, general orientation, in-depth approach, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Modern Languages and Literatures, general orientation, in-depth approach, 2nd yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Modern Languages and Literatures, general orientationPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Languages and Literatures : General, Professional Focus in Translation, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master in Languages and Literatures : General, Professional Focus in Translation, 2nd yearPremier quadrimestre5
Master en langues et littératures modernes, orientation germaniques, à finalité spécialisée en traduction, 1st yearPremier quadrimestre5
Holder(s) :  Katharine Burkitt
Language :  Langue anglaise
Course contents :  This course will explore the representation and role of diaspora communities and immigrants in contemporary British fiction. The primary texts are all relatively recent and were written by writers who are either immigrants living in the UK, or the children of immigrants. As such there are some unifying aspects in these texts, and the aim of this course is to highlight these thematic and stylistic similarities as well as to consider their differences. In order to do this, we will analyse the primary texts under the following headings: 'expectations of the motherland', cultural hybrids', 're-writing British history' and 'ethnicity and identities'. In this context, our discussions will include exploring the symbol of youth and youth culture, gender and sexuality, perspectives on London, the relationships between immigrant groups and white British people, representations of the UK, and the way in which the English language has been adapted for marginalised voices.
Course objective :  The course will introduce a range of texts that consider the role of immigrants in contemporary UK society. The Lonely Londoners will be used to introduce a number of themes that are then figured in differently in the other texts. The aim of the course is to make comparisons between these works and to consider the ways in which these writers and film-makers have changed, and been changed by the social landscape of contemporary Britain. The core texts are as follows:

Sam Selvon, The Lonely Londoners, (London: Penguin, 2006 [1956])

Hanif Kureshi, The Buddha of Suburbia, (London: Faber and Faber, 1990)

Bernardine Evaristo, The Emperor's Babe, (London: Penguin, 2001)

Gautam Malkani, Londonstani, (London: Harper Perennial 2007 [2006])

Films:

Shane Meadows, This is England (2007)

Alfonso Cuarón, Children of Men (2006)
Organization :  The course will be taught in two hourly sessions, including lectures and seminars. In the seminar sessions, students are required to participate in full. The primary texts for this course are detailed above and further reading, and reading lists will be provided.
Assessment :  A written paper of 2,500-3000 words.
Contacts :  Katharine BURKITT, lecteur
Département de Langues et littératures modernes
Tél : 04 366 54 37
E-mail kburkitt@ulg.ac.be


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