Department of English

In this course we will survey Anglophone African Literature from its oral beginnings to the present time. The development of modern African literature is tied to the history of the continent, which it mirrors, beginning with the slave trade, colonialism, independence, and the neo-colonial era. In their quest to convey their reactions to the African experience, African writers have evolved unique literary styles which form their contribution to the literature of the world. What is the essential character of Anglophone African Literature? This course will answer this question through an examination of the writings of major figures in the field, such as Peter Abrahams, Chinua Achebe, Ama ata Aidoo, Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Femi Osofisan, Ayi Kwei Armah, Kofi Awoonor, Okot p' Bitek, Jared Angira, Niyi Osundare, Isidore Okpewho, Odun Balogun, and John Pepper Clark. We will also examine the critical responses to their works.  

English 280.401 has been crosslisted with Afro-American Studies as AFAM 283.401, also with African Studies as AFST 283.401.