FR 1067 - FEMINIST AFRICA

Minimum Credits: 3
Maximum Credits: 3
Long Description "We should all be feminists," claimed Nigerian writer and feminist activist Chimamanda Adichie. But what does it mean to think about Africa as feminist? How do race, postcolonialism, and nation relate to feminism in this context? To reflect upon these issues, this course explores how African writers, directors, and critics construct and represent female subjectivities and identities in their creative works. In addition, we will explore key theoretical texts that deal with feminist discourse in Africa and the diaspora to understand its genealogies and to contextualize critical categories such as "gender." What does "gender" even mean in these contexts? The course approaches gender and feminism via a diverse corpus, taking into account temporality, geography, and language, to help students understand and appreciate the literary tradition of African feminism. Through close readings of core written texts and films from both Francophone and Anglophone Africa, we will examine the intersections of gender, class, race, nation, and postcolonialism. Through readings and viewings, "Feminist Africa" aims to introduce students to the histories of feminism on the continent and to help them understand how African writers articulate women's experiences. In tandem, we will analyze how scholars and feminist activists develop theoretical frameworks and analytical tools rooted in their realities to address issues about African women. This course is taught in English and open to any interested student (no prerequisite). The course should be of particular interest to students in postcolonial studies, English, African/a studies, global studies, French/Francophone studies, political science, international studies, public health, and gender studies.
Academic Career: Undergraduate
Course Component: Lecture
Grade Component: LG/SNC Elective Basis
Course Attributes: DSAS Cross-Cult. Awareness General Ed. Requirement, DSAS Diversity General Ed. Requirement, DSAS Literature General Ed. Requirement

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