The history, culture, and geography of the Caribbean have made it a distinctive and complex world area: the experiences of colonialism, slavery, and indentured servitude; the region’s multiplicity of races, cultures, and languages; the insular and maritime condition of its geography; and its proximity to the United States have shaped the region’s literary, cultural, and artistic production. The objective of this class is to become acquainted with major authors, themes, and literary movements that have emerged in the Caribbean. The course incorporates a range of media and employs an interdisciplinary perspective in exploring Caribbean prose, poetry, and drama. Some of the topics that will organize our discussions include: empire, revolution, sugar and labor, decolonization, storytelling and the oral tradition, re-visioning European traditions, ritual and carnival, transnationalism, diaspora, and exile, and constructions of race, class, gender, and sexuality. This course fulfills Core requirement AHp. Course Cross-listing: 595:270; 940:270
Required Texts:
Abeng, by Michelle Cliff. Plume. ISBN-10: 0452274834
Kingdom of this World, by Alejo Carpentier. Farrar, Strauss and Giroux. ISBN-10: 0374530114
Other texts: To be announced
Readings, which will include poetry, drama, and prose, vary from semester to semester. Most will be available by PDF on Sakai or on reserve at Alexander Library.
Grading and Requirements:
Class Grade: 20% (attendance, daily participation, quizzes)
Written Assignments: 30% (3 brief response papers; weekly posts; annotated bibliography)
2 Exams: 40%
1 in-class essay: 10%
