28 November 2024 - 5 December 2024 ( 4 hours, 2 weeks )
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Waterloo Centre
This course delves into the multifaceted realities of Colonial Africa through Karen Blixen’s stunning book ‘Out of Africa’ (1937), in which she describes her vibrant and captivating experience of discovering Africa. At the same time, the fragile balance between the imposition of European cultural values and the displacement of African culture emerges.
The course will cultivate a communicative and engaging learning environment in which students can appreciate and explore Karen Blixen’s book ‘Out of Africa’. Activities include interactive lectures, class and small group discussion. Through close reading and analysis, students will learn how to identify and evaluate the style and perspective in which the book is written. Discussions will involve collaborative exploration of colonial themes and interpretations of the legacy of colonialism, and the enduring value of the course book in terms of world cultural history and modern attitudes towards colonialism.
This course is open to anyone with an interest in the written experiences of colonial Africa during the first third of the twentieth century. No prior knowledge of colonial Africa is required, but a willingness to engage with complex topics and diverse perspectives is essential. A good ability in written and spoken English will enhance the experience of this course.
Students are encouraged to read, or to begin reading, the course book before the course begins.
Notebook and pen or pencil
