Literatures and Cultures of Lusophone Africa

Catalog description

In this course, students will become acquainted with some of the best contemporary literature of Portuguese-speaking Africa. We will be reading authors from Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique in English translations from the original Portuguese. Through these novels we will discuss the representations of cultural and national identities in Lusophone Africa in the context of political expression, gender roles and patriarchy during the time and following the wars of independence that ended centuries of Portuguese colonial rule in the region. Readings: Pepetela – Mayombe Paulina Chiziane – The First Wife: A Tale of Poligamy Germano Almeida – The Last Will and Testament of Senhor Da Silva Araujo Abdulai Sila – The Ultimate Tragedy Course requirements: Attendance and participation Quizzes on the assigned readings Midterm paper Final paper