Caribbean Literature module (EN41035)

This module explores the literary cultures of the Caribbean. This collection of islands is often named the ‘crucible of modernity’ given its profound role in the origins of globalisation. Once derided as a place void of culture, the Caribbean has produced a striking number of writers, musicians, and artists of global significance.

You will analyse the key questions raised in the literature and culture of the Caribbean and its diasporas. You will explore poetry, prose, drama, film, art, and songs which represent fictional and non-fictional responses to a history of capitalism and slavery, revolution and resistance, colonisation and decolonisation, tourist economies, and ecological emergency.

You will analyse key cultural movements around race and creolisation, gender and womanism, sex and (homo)sexuality, as well as iconic Caribbean figures such as zombies, pirates, and maroons.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• gain knowledge of a variety of Caribbean literary and cultural history
• broaden understanding of key literary movements and historical events as related to the Caribbean
   
• analyse historical and contemporary debates which connect the Caribbean to a global context

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate informed knowledge of Caribbean contributions to English language and other literatures
• discuss Caribbean literature through a combination of critical and creative forms of analysis

Assignments/assessment

• exhibition (40%)
• comparative essay (60%)

Teaching methods/timetable

• exhibition (40%)
• comparative essay (60%)