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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "EN 220"
COURSE NAME: "Post-Colonial Literature"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Livia Sacchetti
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the idea of the postcolonial via a close reading of some of the major works now collected under the term.  The course examines themes and techniques from a formal and historical perspective, asking what the “postcolonial” means and whether it is a plausible and productive concept. The course concentrates on writers from countries primarily, but not exclusively, colonized by the British. Topics include decolonization, the appropriation of the colonizer’s language, hybridity, exile, the necessity of alienation and the relationship of the postcolonial to the postmodern. The function of orientalism, the role of censorship, the political and historical importance of the development of a literary consciousness and the role of the figure of the author will also play a role in the course.This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 200-level literature classes are required to produce 4-5,000 words of critical writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Rooted in seminal essays on postcolonial literature and, specifically in the reclaiming of voice argued within these, this course explores texts written between 1817 and 1924 aiming to evaluate the creation of the presence and voice of ‘the other’ in colonial times. The course will start with a study of Said’s, Spivak’s, and Ghandi’s definitions of orientalism, the subaltern’s voice, and postnationalism respectively. Using these as a lens, the course will then evaluate the development of the imagination of ‘the other’ as both a proto-postcolonial exploration and a reflection of cultural and colonial awareness. In this light, you will study six texts that explore ‘otherness’ and ‘other’ spaces from different points of view: Original Letters from India (Eliza Fay 1817); Frankenstein, (Mary Shelley, 1818/1832), Dracula (Bram Stoker, 1897) War of the Worlds (H.G., Wells, 1898), The Shadow-line  (Joseph Conrad, 1916), A Passage to India (E. M. Forster,1924)
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course students will have mastered the principles of postcolonial criticism. They will have understood the relationship between a literary text and a theoretical approach. They will have understood how a critical glance can illuminate and, at times, even reconfigure aspects, details, or patterns in a literary text. They will also have understood the relevance and impact the study of literature can have on their understanding of the world.

 

Students will write three critical papers. They will also write a final exam, which will consist in a close-text analysis of an excerpt from one of the works studied. This is a writing and reading intensive course.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
A Passage to IndiaE.M.Forster------- All works for this course will be included in an electronic anthology designed for the class.   
The ShadowlineJoseph Conrad------ All works for this course will be included in an electronic anthology designed for the class.Ebook  
War of the WorldsH.G. Wells------- All works for this course will be included in an electronic anthology designed for the class.   
Dracula Bram Stoker------ All works for this course will be included in an electronic anthology designed for the class.   
Frankenstein, Or the Modern PrometheusMary Shelley------ All works for this course will be included in an electronic anthology designed for the class.   
Original Letters from IndiaEliza Fay------- All works for this course will be included in an electronic anthology designed for the class.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
First EssayFirst paper evaluating the formation of colonial and proto-postcolonial imaginations and reflections -- 1700-1900 words20%
MIDTERM Second Paper In-class analysis of a given extract 25%
Final paperFirst paper evaluating the formation of colonial and proto-postcolonial imaginations and reflections -- 1800-2200 words25%
Final Exam 20%
Active involvement in class discussionThe class will structured as a Socratic seminar. Students are invited to take an active role in class discussion to earn full credit for this component.10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance in this course is mandatory; for excused absences, please refer to the Dean of Students' communications. Unexcused absences will affect your grade. Leaving class for longer than 15 minutes will result in an absence unless this has been allowed by the Professor.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Week 1  

Introduction

to the theoretical and conceptual frameworks. Critical readings and discussion

·      Orientalism

·      The Voice of the Subaltern

·      Postnationalism

 

Week 2  

Original Letters from India Eliza Fay

·      Space and imagination

·      Voice

 

Week 3  

Original Letters from India Eliza Fay

·       Space and imagination

·      Voice

Week 4  

Frankenstein

·      Allusions to Milton and The Tempest

·      The other and the reclaiming of the father’s voice

·      Systemic oppression

Week 5  

Frankenstein

·      Allusions to Milton and The Tempest

·      The other and the reclaiming of the father’s voice

·      Systemic oppression

 

Week 6 

Frankenstein/ Dracula

·      The Irish colony

·      The neighbor as ‘the other’

·      Seduction as the voice of the colonizer

 

Week 7  

Dracula 

·      The Irish colony

·      The neighbor as ‘the other’

·      Seduction as the voice of the colonizer

 

Week 8  

Dracula 

·       The Irish colony

·      The neighbor as ‘the other’

·      Seduction as the voice of the colonizer

 

Week 9  

War of the Worlds

·      Imperialism and science fiction

·      Postcolonial awareness

Week 10  

War of the Worlds

·      Imperialism and science fiction

·      Postcolonial awareness

Week 11  

The Shadow-line

·      Travel narratives/ voice

 

Week 12  

The Shadow-line

·      Travel narratives/ voice

 

Week 13  

A Passage to India

·      Travel narratives/ voice

 

Week 14  

 A Passage to India

·      Travel narratives/ voice

 

Week 15  

Final Examination