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LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

OLT 121: Literary Theory and Criticism

Objectives: Upon completion of this course you should be able to;

i. Describe the various literary theories

ii. Explain key concepts of literary criticism

iii. explain key concept of literary criticism

iv. use different approaches for criticising literary works

v. criticise works of literature on the basis of criticism presupposes knowledge

Topics

i. Classical critism

ii. Renaissance

iii. 19th Century criticism

iv. New criticism theory and concepts

v. Current style of literary criticism i.e.

home based criticism

, structuralism,

post structuralism,

psychoanalytical literary criticism,

literary critical thought,

existentialism,

post modernism,

Africa criticism

References

Chidi, A. (1989) The Theory of African Literature: Implications for Practical

Criticism.London:Zed Books

Ealgeton, T. (1983) Literary Theory : An Introduction University of Minnessota Press

Raymond, O. (1981) Aggressive Prose. DSM: TUKI

Msokile, M. (1993). Misingi ya Uhakiki. East African Educational Publishers: Nairobi

Sengo na Kiango (2010) Hisi Zetu, Rivesed edition

Senkoro, FEMK (1982) Fasihi: Press and Publicity Centre: Dar es Salaam

Wellek & Warren (1964) Theory of Literature. Penguin: London

Charles, E. (2006) Bressler Literary Criticism: An Introduction to Theory and

Practice. Amazon

Waugh, P. (2007) Literary Theory and Criticism An Oxford Guide. Amazon

Habibu, M. A. R. (2007) A History of Literary Criticism from Plato to Present.

Amazon

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Tigiti S.Y. M. Sengo(2009) Sengo na FASIHI ZA kiinchi;publisher AERA,

Dar es Salaam

OLT 122: Studies in African Literature

Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, the you will be able to;

i. produce a concise biographical note on a chosen African writer

ii. produce a competent piece of work in a long essay format on African literature

iii. explain the history, trends, and recurrent themes of the African literature

iv. use internet search engines when seeking information on a given topic related to

African literature

Topics

1. Introduction to oral literature

2. Pre-colonial literature (francophone Africa, Anglophone Africa and Portuguese

speaking Africa)

3. Colonial African literature (francophone Africa, Anglophone Africa and

Portuguese speaking Africa)

4. Postcolonial African Literature (francophone Africa, Anglophone Africa and

Portuguese speaking Africa).

References:

Cook D (1977). African literature: a critical view. London: Longman

Amuta C (1989). The Theory of African literature: implications for practical criticism.

London: Zed Books

Dathorne OR (2009). African literature in the twentieth century. Minnesota: University

of Minnesota Press

Ngugi Wa ThiongO (1997). Writers in politics: a re-engagement with issues of literature

& society. Oxford: James Currey Publishers

Grard AS (1981). African language literatures: an introduction to the literary history of

Sub-Saharan Africa. London: Longman Publishing Group.

Julien E (1992). African novels and the question of orality. Indiana: Indiana University

Press.

Griffiths G. (2000). African Literatures in English: East and West. London: - Addison-

Wesley Longman Ltd

Mortimer MP (1990). Journeys through the French African novel: London: Heinemann

Educational Publishers.

Harrow KW (1994). Thresholds of change in African literature: the emergence of a

tradition. London: Heinemann Educational Publishers

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Killam GD (1984). The Writing of East and Central Africa. London: Heinemann

Educational Books

Harrow KW (2001). Less than one and double: a feminist reading of African women's

writing. London: Heinemann Educational Books

Petersen KH, Rutherford A. (1991). Chinua Achebe: a celebration. London:

Heinemann Educational Books

Cazenave OM (1996). Femmes rebelles: naissance d'un nouveau roman africain au

fminin. Paris : L'Harmattan Edition

OLT 221:ORAL LITERATUTE

Objectives: Upon completion of this course you should be able to;

i. describe the prevalence of literary qualities in African orature

ii. integrate and enrich various genres in their writing of modern literary works

iii. form self acceptance and confidence as Africans

Topics

i. context and concepts of oral literature

ii. structures of oral literature, genres

iii. roles and of oral literature

iv. theoretical and critical aspects of literature

v. virtues and vices

vi. traditionalist and modernism and globalization

References

Cutter, N. 1920 Songs and Tales From Dark Continent. N.y

Finnegan, R. 1967 Limba Stories and Story Telling. OLAL, Oxford

Finnegan, R. (1970) Oral Literature in Africa. Nairobi: Oxford

Finnegan, R. (1970) Oral Literature in Africa. Oxford University Press Harries, L. 1981

Mlokozi, M.M (1989) Tanzu za Fasihi Simulizi. Mulika 21: 1-24

Sengo, TYSM (1985) Folktale Performance in Pemba and Zanzibar PHD Thesis

Khartoum: Khartoum University (E.A Section UDSM)

Ndungo, C. M. na Wafula, R. M. Nadharia ya Fasihi Simulizi na Tanzu za Fasihi

Simulizi, BSW 308A University of Nairobi College of Education and External

Studies

Obiechina, E.N Transition from Oral to Literary Tradition

TAKILUKI 1983. Fasihi Zanzibar. Zanzibar: TAKILUKI

Taylor, W. E. Africa Emphasis or Sawa from Kiswahili Land, London

Steere, E. and Werner (1922). Swahili Tales as Told by Natives of Zanzibar with an

English Translation, London

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Vansina, J. 1965 Oral Tradition, Astudy in Historical Methodology. London: H. M

Writht

Werner, A. 1927 Swahili Poetry, J. Afr. Soc.26

Sengo T.S.Y.N 2010 Utafiti wa Utani na Jamii: Ukwere (forthcoming) Dar es Salaam

AERA Kiswahili Research Product

OLT 222: Literary Stylistics (course outline to follow)

OLT 321: EUROPEAN LITERATURE

This course is designed to give the learners a general insight and artistic appreciation of

European Literature in both prose and poetry forms. Please go to the moodle to find

many support materials, as well as digital copies of the novels you will need to read.

The approaches to be used included making descriptions, meaning formulation, analysis

of various key areas, etc., as are stipulated in the subtopics below:

FICTION

Topics studied include:

1. Realism: its definition and background, the use of figurative language in realism,

realisms relationship with reality and history in Daniel Defoes Moll

Flanders and Robinson Crusoe.

2. The French Revolution as the historical content of Balzacs novel Old Goriot.

Examining Eugene Rastignac as the point of view character in Old

Goriot. The structure and style of Balzacs Old Goriot.

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3. The reflection of the industrial revolution in Charles Dickens Great Expectations.

4. Character development, structure and use of symbolism in Great Expectations.

5. The impact of declined hopes in Great Expectations.

6. Tracing the feministic aspects in g Flauberts Madame Bovary

7. Making a literary analysis of the importance of the structure and style, plot and point of

view of Madame Bovary.

8. The background and consequences of Emma Bovarys tragic flaw

9. Describing the search for happiness of meaning of life in Madame Bovary and

Camus The Outsider.

10. The criminal mentality, marriage and family in Dostoyevsky: The double, Notes

from the Underground, and Tolstoys Happy ever after.

11. Outline the background and effects of moral decline in The Death of Ivan Ilyitch

(Tolstoy).

12. Tracing modernism (as a movement) in Kafkas The Trial.

13. Literary trends: modernism, social realism and post-modernism in Barnes Flauberts

parrot, Gorkys Mother and Kafkas The Trial on issues like definitions,

features, and their contributions to European prose fiction.

FICTION LECTURES:

Lecture 1: Realism and the rise of the European Novel

Lecture 2: Honor de Balzacs Old Goriot

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Lecture 3: Balzacs Old Goriot

Lecture 4: The theme of Fatherhood in Old Goriot

Lecture 5: Gustave Flauberts Madame Bovary

Lecture 6: The structure and style of Madame Bovary

Lecture 7: Emma Bovarys romantic quest

Lecture 8: Dostoyevsky: His life and work

Lecture 9: Dostoyevskys The Double and Notes from the Underground

Lecture 10: The life and work of Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy

Lecture 11: Tolstoys Happy ever after, The Cossacks and The Death of Ivan Ilych

Lecture 12: The life and work of Charles Dickens

Lecture 13: Dickens Great Expectations

Lecture 14: Trends in 20th

century fiction Kafkas The Trial, and Orwells Nineteen

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POETRY

Topics studied include:

1. Distinguishing narrative and lyrical poetry in the European poetic tradition.

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2. Tracing the emergence of the romance as a literary artistic form in European poetry.

3. Discussing the major thematic concerns of metaphysical and romantic poetry basing on

areas like love, man and God, etc. in the works of William Blake, P. B.

Shelley, J. Keats, Bertold Brecht, Wordsworth, etc.

4. Realism in Alexander Pushkins poem The Prophet

5. The relationship of Vladimir Mayakovski to the revolution of 1917 as shown in his

poems:

-To answer

-My soviet passport

6. Artistic concerns of W. B. Yeats as shown in:

-Down by the Salley Gardens

-Words

7. Making a critical appreciation of Yeats poetic style in the poem No Second Try

8. Identification of style in:

-T. S. Eliots poems The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock and The Wasteland

The Wasteland and Ash Wednesday, and Portrait of a Lady on areas such as

language use, sound patterns imagery and use of allusion

9. Examining form and content in B. Brechts poems

-Ballad of the pirates

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-A bed for the night

POETRY LECTURES:

Lecture 1: Background to European Poetry

The Epic

The Romance

The Sonnet

The Renaissance Lecture 2: Metaphysical Poetry

Thematic Concerns

Lecture 3: Metaphysical Poetry

Theme of Love

Theme of Man and God

Paradox

Imagery

Rhythm and Rhyme

Lecture 4: Romantic Poetry- the background

What is Romanticism?

Lecture 5: Romantic Poetry- English Romantics

William Blake

Lecture 6: Romantic Poetry- English Romantics (part 2)

William Blake (part 2)

William Wordsworth

Samuel Coleridge

P. B. Shelley

John Keats

Lecture 7: Alexander Pushkin

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Romanticism and Realism

Poems on the Decembrists

Love lyrics

The Role of the Poet

Lecture 8: Willam Butler Yeats

Life and work

Traditional sources

Stylistic Aspects

Lecture 9: W. B. Yeats (part 2)

Love poems

Nationalistic concerns

World civilization concerns

Lecture 10: Bertold Brecht: Life and work

Phase One: poems Song of the Fort and Donald Railroad Gang

Phase Two: Ballad of the Pirates and A Bed for the Night

Phase Three: Pride

Lecture 11: T. S. Eliot

Life and work

Poems:

The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock

Style

Language

Sound Patterns

Imagery

Allusion

Portrait of a Lady

Lecture 12: Vladimir Mayakovsky Russian futurism

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His life and work

Lecture 13: V. Mayakovsky

Poems:

What about you?

Kindness to horses

Order No. 2 to the Army of Ants

Contagious Cargo

My Soviet Passport

Assessment: Students are evaluated by two examinations.

Works

Balzac, Honor de Old Goriot

Barnes , Julian Flauberts parrot Pan Books 1985

Brecht, Berthold Ballad of the pirates; A bed for the night

Camus, Albert The outsider Penguin 1973

Defoe, Daniel Moll Flanders; Robinson Crusoe

Dickens, Charles Great Expectations Penguin 1980

Dostoyevsky, Fyodor Notes from the underground and The Double Penguin 1973

Eliot, T.S. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock; The Wasteland; Ash Wednesday

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Flaubert, Gustave Madame Bovary

Gorky, Maxim Mother 1974

Kafka, Franz The Trial Penguin 1971

Mayakovski, Vladimir To answer; My soviet passport

Tolstoy, Leo Happy ever after Penguin 1980

The death of Ivan Ilych Penguin 1971

Yeats, W. B. No Second Try; Down by the Salley Gardens; Words

Watson, George The story of the novel Macmillan 1979

Watt, Ian The rise of the novel Berkeley 1971

OLT 322 African American Literature

This course is designed to introduce students to the study and appreciation of African

American literature by examining how historical context, such as slavery and the Harlem

Renaissance impacted the literary production of Black Americans.

Topics explored include:

1. Slavery, race, self-consciousness, the background and use of oral narratives, the

meaning and use of the blues, negro spirituals, songs, autobiographies, violence,

education for freedom, alienation and emancipation, the American dream, western

civilization, black subjugation, the nature of master-slave relationships.

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2. Tracing the development of black consciousness as shown by the poets of the Harlem

renaissance: Claude Mackay, Langston Hughes, etc.

3. Exploring the political and cultural rebirth of the black race as depicted by Marcus

Garvey, Locke, Claude Mackay and Amiri Baraka.

4. Analysis of the thematic concerns in African American literature on issues of identity,

violence, blindness, invisibility, discrimination, the Jim Crow laws, black escapism and

the destruction of black manhood.

5. Examining the causes and impacts of fate, dread, hate, disillusionment, sadism and

shame that characterize black people in the USA.

6. Studying/analyzing the concepts of love and Christianity as perceived by James

Baldwin, Richard Wright and others.

7. Craftsmanship in the literary artistic works of Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Toni

Morrison, Alice Walker, Ralph Ellison, Langston Hughes, etc., and their use of:

-imagery, point of view, flashback, irony, satire, symbolism, etc., to portray their

messages.

LECTURES:

Lecture 1. African-American Literature: Introduction

Lecture 2. The Slave Narrative

Lecture 3. Frederick Douglass

Lecture 4. The Harlem Renaissance

Lecture 5. Claude Mackay

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Lecture 6. Langston Hughes

Lecture 7. The Period of the Depression

Lecture 8. Richard Wright: Native Son

Lecture 9. Ralph Ellison: Invisible Man

Lecture 10. James Baldwin

Lecture 11. James Baldwin: Go tell it on the mountain

Lecture 12. James Baldwin: Blues for Mr. Charlie

Lecture 13. Amiri Baraka

Lecture 14. Women Writers: Toni Morrison and Alice Walkers feminist approaches to

African American literature

Assessment: Students are evaluated by two examinations.

TEXTS

Baldwin, James The Fire Next Time Penguin 1971

Go tell it on the mountain Black swan 1984

Benston, Roseann et al, eds. Steady Black Bridges: visions of Black women in

literature Anchor Books 1979

Bebston, Kimberly Baraka: the revenge of the black mask Yale University

Press 1976

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Bone, Robert The Black Novel in America Yale 1971

Brooks, Gwendolyn Selected Poems Harper and Row 1963

Douglass, Frederick The Narrative of a Slaves Life

Ellison, Ralph The Invisible Man Penguin 1970

Jones, leroi The Dutchman and The Slave Morrow 1964

Morrison, Toni Beloved New American library 1987

Rosenblatt, Roger Black Fiction Harvard University Press 1968

Wright, Richard Uncle Toms Cabin Harper and Row, 1975

Native Son 1978

Walker, Alice The Color Purple Pocket Books 1982

In Search of our Mothers Gardens Harcourt, brace, Jovanovich 1983

OLT 323: Creative Writing

The object of the course is to encourage students to write creatively and to build their

works with an understanding of such issues as form, content and point of view, and to

expose students to the elements of creative writing in the genres of prose, poetry and

drama. The topics in the lectures include an approach to writing, free-writing, revision,

as well as techniques to improve the various skills.

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Part I

Theoretical perspectives

Lecture 1: What is Creative Writing?

Lecture 2: Form, content and effect

Lecture 3: The Creative Writer and the Tools

Lecture 4: The genres: prose, drama and poetry

The practicals: creative writing through Games

Lecture 5: Prose models

Lecture 6: Dramatic mode and models

Lecture 7: Poetic mode and models; elements of poetry (Metaphor, rhyme, etc.)

Final activities, assignments, samples

Lecture 8: Identifying your topic

Lecture 9: Assignments

Part II

Lecture 1: An approach to Creative Writing

Lecture 2: Creative Writing and Non-fiction

Lecture 3: Free-writing and rewriting

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Lecture 4: Revising I

Lecture 5: Revising II

Lecture 6: Revising with feedback

Lecture 7: The Question of Audience

Lecture 8: Business and thesis writing

Remember: this is CREATIVE WRITING, so try to find your INSPIRATION! BE

CREATIVE! LOOK FOR WAYS TO ADD IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY TO

YOUR WORK, AND FINALLY: READ AS MUCH QUALITY WRITING AS YOU

CAN (FEED YOUR BRAIN THE GOOD STUFF!)

Assessment: Mid year and annual exams

OLT 324: DRAMATIC AND THEATRICAL STUDIES

Aims

This course is intended to impart knowledge on African oral performances eg rituals,

rites, story telling, ngoma, heroic recitation etc.It is further intended to expose the

students to various concepts of drama and theatre;to enlighten students on the emergence

and development of drama and theatre in East Africa; and teach comparative drama and

theatre from the time of folkloric performance.

Objectives: Upon completion of this course you should be able to;

i. determine the prevalence of literary qualities in drama and theatre

ii. write plays and film scripts

iii. analyse plays and dramatic, theatrical works

iv. perform actual drama and theatre

v. publish drama and theatrical materials

vi. perform act, direct and produce direct plays

vii. analyse plays effectively

viii. producing qualitative artistic works in drama and theatre.

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Topics

Poetry, Drama, Novel, Act, Alliteration, Ambiguity, Plot, Allegory, Allusion, Antagonist,

Protagonist tragedy, Comedy, Conflict, Characterization, Catharsis, Chorus, Climax,

Dialogue/monologue rhetoric, theme, Context, Diction, Didactive theothex, Epic satire

References

Dawson, S.W. , 1970 Drama and the Dramatic. London Muthuen

Dukore, B. F. 1974 Drama Theory and Criticism. New York: Holt, Rinehart and

Wistons, Inc

Fergusson, F. The Idea of A Theatre. Pinceton University Press

Gotrick, Kacke. 1984. Epidan Theatre and Modern Drama. Stockholm: Almovist &

Wiksell International

Lihamba, A. 1985 Political Theatre in Tanzania after the Arusha Declaration, 1967-

1984, Phd. Thesis, Leeds, University of Leeds

Mhando, P. & Balisidya, 1976 Fasihi na Sanaa ya Maonyesho. Dar es Salaam:

Tanzania Publishing House

Turner, V. 1982 From Ritual to Threatre: The Human Seriousness of Play, New

York: Performing Arts.

Dramatic Texts

Hussein, E.N -Kinjiketile

-Mashetani

-Wakati Ukuta

-Jogoo Kijijini

Mbogo, E. -Ngoma ya Mwanamalundi

-Morani

-Giza Limeingia

-Sundiata

-Fumo Liongo

Soyinka, W. -Death and the Kingshorseman

-The Road

-Kongis Harvest

-The Trials of Brother Jero

Ngugi - I Shall Marry When I want

- The Trial of Dedan Kimathi

Watene -Dedan Kimathi

Muhando, P. - Hatia

-Heshima Yangu

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-Nguzo Mama

Semzaba, E. -Ngoswe

-Tendehogo

Lihamba, M. -Mkutano Mkuu wa Ndege