African 203: Feminism and African Literature

This course will explore the ways that African writers and critics (re)define and (re)present female subjectivities and identities in their writings. Focusing on questions of gender, sexuality, body, and resistance, the course will introduce students to the sociocultural processes that shape the experiences of African women and how these are addressed in African Literature. Students will be exposed to indigenous African feminist thought, including Motherism, Stiwanism, Nego-feminism, Snail-paced feminism, and African womanism. It will also explore how African feminists develop theoretical and conceptual frameworks that are grounded in the African worldview in a bid to advance the cause of African women. Students will be exposed to how African women have responded to oppression, patriarchy, exploitation, and how women formed solidarity, sisterhood, and support for celebratory purpose and critique of power. In addition to representative literary texts, we will also consider some recent films from the continent.

Primary Text
So Long a Letter. Mariama Bâ. So (Novella)

Purple Hibiscus. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Novel)

Woman at Point Zero. Nawal El Saadawi,  (novel)

Walking in the Shadow Jude Dibia  (Novel).

Films
Fat Kine. Dir. Ousmane Sembene

Moolaadé . Dir. Ousmane Sembene

Les Saignantes Di. Jean-Pierre Bekolo

Karmen Geï. Dir. Joseph Gaï Ramaka

Wives on strike. Dir. Omoni Oboli

Recommended  (not required)
Dear Ijeawale (Feminist Manifesto in 15 suggestions) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

Wives Revolt J.P Clark