COLT 52.09 Childhood, Memory, and the Caribbean

Have you ever wondered what it's like to grow up in Haiti, Surinam, Guadeloupe, Cuba, or the Dominican Republic? In this course, students will embark on a literary journey through the Caribbean, examining coming-of-age stories that unravel the complex tapestry of postcolonial experiences.

 Through a critical exploration of the Caribbean bildungsroman, students will delve into the profound impact of colonialism on various facets of life, including family structures, the roles of women, education, languages, socioeconomic status, mobility, and the intricate development of identity.

 The course will introduce students to a diverse array of literary works from the Caribbean, offering insights into the nuanced perspectives of postcolonial authors. Engaging with critical theories from key thinkers such as Frantz Fanon, Edouard Glissant, Carole Boyce Davies, and Antonio Benitez-Rojo, students will analyze the intellectual frameworks that shape Caribbean literature.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:INT or LIT; WCult:W

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Comparative Literature