Offered in Conjunction with the English Department, Government Emerson College, Multan.

Principal Dr. Mohammad Saleem

This a course offered in real-time using Skype. I will be working with Dr. Zia Ahmed in developing and teaching this course. This course aims to introduce you to various aspects of postcolonial theory and its application to literary texts. The course would involve reading certain introductory materials about postcolonial theory and culminate in a critical reading of one or two important postcolonial novels. We will meet once every two weeks, on Skype, for for ONE hour. I will provide the online instruction and Dr. Zia will provide the ground support in Pakistan and will also administer all required tests and exams.

Skype Meeting time: Every Other Friday, 9:00 am to 10:00 am PST.

Required Texts

Postcolonial Theory Reader (Digital Handout)

Chinua Achebe: Things Fall Apart (Novel)

Arundhati Roy: The God of Small Things (Novel)

Arun Joshi: The Only American from Our Village (Play)

Langston Hughes: Any two representative poems

Daud Kamal: “An Ode to Death” (Poem)

Tariq Rehman: “Moustaches” (Short Story)

Additional Materials

Introduction to Postcolonialism: Video

Edward said on Orientalism: Video

Distribution of Points

Class Participation 100 Points

Mid Term 300 Points

Final Exam 300 Points

Total: 700 Points

Grading Scale:

A 920-1000
B 830-919
C 739-829
D 600-738
F Less than 600 Points

Important Note: If at any stage in this course you feel like I could tweak my teaching practices to make it a better learning experience for you, please come and talk to me. If you are not comfortable talking in person, you can leave me a typed anonymous note with your suggestions in my mailbox in the English main office.

Weekly Schedule:

(Note: This is a tentative schedule and the instructor retains the right to change it as and when necessary. This document will be continually augmented by in-class announcements or through emails and you are required to be aware of all such announcements)
Week 1
Introduction to the course

Read Robert Young Essay from the Reader

Reading:

Week 2

Reading:

Week 3
Discussion:

Reading:

Discussion:

Reading:

Week 5

Discussion:
Reading:

Week 6
Discussion:
Reading:

Week 7
Discussion:

Week 8
Discussion:
Mid Term
Reading:

Week 9
Discussion:
Reading:

Week 10
Discussion:
Group Presentation:
Emecheta:
Reading:

Week 11
Discussion:
Reading:

Week 12

Reading:

Week 13
Discussion:

Week 14 & 15
Revision and Prep for final exam.