School of English
Module manager: Jane Plastow
Email: j.e.plastow@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module introduces you to postcolonial African literature, including novels, short stories, poetry and plays. The module covers a 70-year time period from the 1950s as Africa began to decolonise and follows developing discourses, tropes and forms from that time and into the present day. Discussion and analysis will be set against the political and cultural background of the texts in question and material will be drawn from across sub-Saharan Africa. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
The module showcases the wealth of African literature, still often under-represented in broader literary discourse. It describes developments that have taken place over time in differing cultural contexts, the diversity of African literature and the persistent concerns of the form. The module aims to enable students to understand a continent a little better and to join me in celebrating the riches of its writing.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Discuss the broad trajectory of postcolonial African literature
2. Analyse African literature in social, cultural and political contexts.
3. Engage critically with African literary texts.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
4. Conduct independent research, engaging in good academic practice.
5. Produce independent arguments demonstrating advanced proficiency in critical thinking.
6. Communicate clearly and persuasively in responses to complex questions.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Film Screenings | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Drop-in Session | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lecture | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will receive formative feedback in seminars, in office hours, and from the first of the 2 essays on this module, which will be formative of the second assessment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 30 |
| Coursework | Essay | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team