Fall 2008

Professor Manthia Diawara

V29.0190.002, V18.0715

Topics in 20^th Century Literature: Culture, Policy, and Art in Africa

The purpose of this course is to provide a context—historical and political-- for the production of literature, film and music in Africa. We will look at the modernist African philosophies—Pan-Africanism, Negritude and African Personality—that supported the decolonization movements in the 1960s, and nurtured the artistic and intellectual works of writers, filmmakers, artists and musicians. We will analyze the themes of Negritude in Camara Laye’s The Black Child; the Pan-African structures of feeling in Fela’s music, and Frantz Fanon’s influence on African cinema.

Course Organization

Students are expected to attend classes regularly; read the assignments and participate in discussions. 2 reaction papers (4 to 5 pages each) are required in lieu of midterm; and a final paper (6 pages or more) at the end of the semester.

Part I: Negritude, African Literature and Art

Part II. The Guinean Cultural Revolution and Art.

Part III. Highlife, Pan-Africanism and Festivals