Module overview
Literary history is often told in epochs. In particular, it can be useful to understand the world in relation to some or other idea of 鈥渕odernity鈥: for example, English literary studies is often organised through conceptions of the early modern, the modern, and the post-modern. But many influential constructions of modernity assume and promote Eurocentric ideas of progress, development, and history. This module invites you to interrogate these ideas. The module begins with work that reveals the cultures of violence and inequity that are instituted by imperialist constructions of modernity and civilisation. You will then learn to work with debates that have been conducted through formulations of 鈥榩ostcolonial studies鈥, 鈥榮ubaltern studies鈥, 鈥榙iaspora studies鈥, 鈥榳orld systems鈥, 鈥榟istory wars鈥, 鈥榳orld literature鈥 and 鈥榙ecolonisation鈥. Across the module, you will explore fictions of various genres from Africa, the Americas, Australia and other parts of the world, and you will consider the importance of literature to debates about race, law, identity, belonging, political and economic geography, and citizenship.