Prospectus

nl en

Seminar in African Literature

Course
2014-2015

Admission requirements

BA Afrikaanse Talen en culturen; BA Literatuurwetenschap; BA Nederlandkunde / Dutch Studies; BA Nederlandse Taal en Cultuur

Description

The course offers an overview of African cinematography and an analysis of African films. It will provide students with conceptual tools for discussing how films create “Africa” in the intertextual dialogue of past and present ‘stories’ retold or implicated as background in African films.

Course objectives

Acquire knowledge and understanding of African cinematography and film styles, themes, structures, and intertextuality
1. Understand and enjoy African films
2. Develop critical thinking and knowledge on filmic constructions of Africa
3. Acquire comparative methods and techniques of film analysis
4. Develop communication skills in oral and written expression (presentations and papers)

Timetable

Collegerooster

Once a week (4 hours). NOTE: the course starts in the first week of October. Check dates on Blackboard and on website of the Dept. African Languages and Cultures
Onderwijsvorm

  • Lecture + watching films (2 + 2 hours)

  • Workshop

  • Collaborative learning

Course load

Total: 140/280 hours (5/10 EC)
Lecures: 10×4= 40
Exam: 4 hours
Reading, writing paper 96 hours/136 hours

Assessment method

  • Presentation (10%)

  • Take-home exam (40%)

  • Essay (50%)

All components should be passed.

Blackboard

Blackboad is used to offer program, study materials, power point presentations of lecturer and students, and announcement

Literature

Students find the reading list and study materials on Blackboard and in the course file at the Department (Dept. hall, building van Wijkplaats 4, first floor, right side). The students are expected to read the study materials before the lectures.
Example study materials:
Armes, R., Postcolonial Images, Indiana UP, Bloomington and Indianapolis, 2005
Gugler, J., African Film, Indiana UP, Bloomington, j Currey, Oxford, D Philip, Cape Town, 2003
Thackway, M, Africa shoots back, Indiana UP, Bloomington, Currey, Oxford, D Philip, Cape Town, 2003.

Contact

Teacher Dr. D. Merolla

Remarks

Students can obtain extra ECTS by writing a larger and comparative research paper.