Course convenor: Dr Hassana Moosa

What is ‘literature’ and how does it work? How and why can we read and think critically? What does close attention to plays, novels and poems tell us as we grapple with the meanings of being human within a 21^st century world? How can we trace the shift from ‘English literature’ to ‘literature in English’, from our specific and simultaneously myriad locations?

This introduction to literary studies offers a range of critical tools and methods for reading and writing about texts in the most interesting and thought-provoking ways possible. The course also introduces students to literary and rhetorical terms, and to basic issues in literary studies. Different literary genres will be explored and analysed, including the novel, poetry and drama. Students will be introduced to different kinds of critical writing and will engage in honing their own critical skills.

Lecture Times:  Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Period 2, 09:00-09:45.

Timetable, tutorial times and tutorial sign-up are published on Amathuba once you have registered for the course.

Entrance requirements: None.

DP requirements:  All written work to be handed in and at least 75% attendance at tutorials.

Assessment: Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests etc) counts 100%.
NOTE: Credit will not be given for both ELL1013F and ELL1009F

Prescribed Texts, 2024

Ḥanān Shaykh and Tim Supple, One Thousand and One Nights (Available at UCT Library, Online)

Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (Available at UCT Library, Online)

Gaël Faye, Small Country (Available at UCT Library, Online and Print)

Patrick Chamoiseau, The Old Slave and the Mastiff (Available on takealot, Loot, Amazon, Readers Warehouse, Exclusive Books)

Selection of poetry (To be provided on Amathuba) 

Selection of Queer performance (To be provided on Amathuba)