Module Code and Title:       LIT318 House of Mirrors: Postmodernist Literature

Programme:                          BA in English Studies

Credit Value:                         12

Module Tutor:                       Runa Chakraborty, Vanlallawmkimi, Sonam Deki,

Module Coordinator:            Runa Chakraborty

General objective: This module aims to introduce students to postmodern literature and theory. It does so by familiarising them with the major socio-political, cultural, economic and literary developments that took place in the second half of the twentieth century. The module further seeks to address the main features of each decade after the 1950s through representative texts. In addition, it also attempts to analyse how science, technology, media and popular culture play an instrumental role in shaping identity consciousness and subjectivity, and their representation in literature. Moreover, the module makes students aware of the 'postmodern condition', in which notions of absolute truths and reality are interrogated and critiqued.

Learning outcomes – On completion of this module, learners should be able to:

1. Identify features of postmodern writing, including intertextuality, fragmentation, alienation, metafiction, and magical realism.
2. Evaluate the role of media and popular culture in postmodern writing.
3. Examine the influence of development in science and technology on human consciousness as represented in literature.
4. Critique various literary and ideological approaches from a postmodern perspective.
5. Contrast postmodern writing with modernist writing.

1. Relate postmodernism to other theoretical perspectives on the programme, specifically postcolonial theory, and feminist and queer studies.
2. Critically evaluate postmodernism and its influence on literature and different genres of art.

Learning and Teaching Approach:

Assessment Approach:

A. Written assignment: Portion of Final Marks: 20%

A critical essay of 700-1000 words on a prescribed text from a postmodernist perspective. The first draft will be marked out of 5%, and the final submission out of 15%, of which 5% percent will be allotted to specific improvements made on the feedback received on the first draft. Assessment will be based on the ‘Analytical Writing’ rubric.

B. Presentation: Portion of Final Mark: 20%

Students will be assigned topics related to fragmentation, alienation, intertextuality and magical realism from the prescribed texts in groups of approximately 4 members. Each individual student will present a part of the work. Each group will be assigned a group mark (10%) and an individual mark (10%). The duration of each individual presentation will be 5-7 minutes. Assessment will be based on the ‘Oral Tasks’ rubric.

C. Class Test: Portion of Final Marks: 10%

A written test will be conducted for 45 min duration and cover 2-3 weeks of material.

D. Class participation and preparedness: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will be expected to participate substantially in class discussions, with contributions reflecting adequate preparation for topics under discussion. 5% of class participation and preparedness will be assessed before midterm and the remaining 5% post midterm. Assessment will be based on the ‘Participation and Preparedness’ rubric.

E. Midterm Examination: Portion of Final Mark: 10%

Students will take a written exam of 1.5 hr duration covering topics up to the mid-point of the semester.  

Pre-requisites: LIT314 The Shattered Mirror: Modernist Literature

Subject matter:

1. Close reading and analysis of Look Back in Anger by John Osborne
   • The history of the emergence of Kitchen-sink Drama
   • Portrayal of the 'Angry Young Men'
   • Representation of socio-political and economic realities
2. Close reading and analysis of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
   • Introduction to magical realism
   • Discussion of reader’s participation in narrative process
   • Reference to The Moor’s Last Laugh by Rushdie to explore Magical Realism
3. Close reading and analysis of The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
   • Introduction to multiculturalism
   • The impact of race and ethnicity in postmodern writing
   • Representation of identity in postmodern writing
4. Close reading and analysis of An Introduction and The Old Playhouse by Kamala Das
   • Use of postmodern perspectives on language
   • Understanding Postmodernism from a feminist perspective
   • Protest against Male Domination
   • Stereotypical Roles for Women
   • Quest for Self and Identity
5. Close reading and analysis of English Zindabad Vs Angreizi Hatao by Khuswant Singh
   • Impact of Colonial Rule
   • Response to Colonial Hegemony
   • Significance of Building Identity
6. Close reading and analysis of My Mother, the Crazy African by Amanda Ngozi Adichie
   • Discussion of multiplicity of perspectives
   • Understanding Postmodernism as an interrogation of grand narratives
   • Roles of Language and Identity

Reading List:

1. Essential Reading
   • Adichie, A. (2000). My Mother, the Crazy African. In Posse Review: Multi-ethnicity Anthology. Retrieved from http://www.webdelsol.com/InPosse/adichie_anthology.htm
   • Butler, C. (2002). Postmodernism: A Very Short Introduction (Paperback). New York: Oxford University Press.
   • Das, B. K. (2006). Postmodern Indian English Literature. India: Atlantic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd.
   • Das, K. (n.d.). An Introduction. Retrieved from http://www.poemhunter.com/i/ebooks/pdf/kamala_das_2012_4.pdf
   • Das, K. (n.d) The Old Playhouse. Retrieved from http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-old-playhouse/
   • Marquez, G. (n.d.). A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. Retrieved from http://www.ndsu.edu/pubweb/~cinichol/CreativeWriting/323/MarquezManwithWings.htm
   • Morrison, T. (1990). The Bluest Eye. London: Pan Books.
   • Osborne, J. (1975). Look Back in Anger. London: Faber and Faber.
   • Singh, K. (1974) English Zindabad Vs Angreizi Hatao. The Illustrated Weekly of India. 13 January.
2. Additional Reading
   • Jameson, Fredric. (1991). Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
   • Lyotard, Jean-Francois. (1984). The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
   • Rushdie, Salman. (1995). The Moor’s Last Laugh. Random House.

Date: December 20, 2015