230368 Caribbean Women Writers (S) (WiSe 2015/2016)

“Gone are the days when every generation or movement would have one representative woman writer who would signal by her presence the very absence she was called upon to negate: that of women’s voices in the mainstream of literary activity in the [[Caribbean]] region.” (Esteves and Paravisini-Gebert xi)

In this course, we will read and discuss a sampling of texts by Caribbean women writers from different regions of the Caribbean and its diasporas. The past four decades have seen a boom in the literary production of Caribbean women and a tremendous growth in international reputation of these writers. Writers such as Jamaica Kincaid, Maryse Condé, Jean Rhys, Michelle Cliff, Edwidge Danticat, Olive Senior, Paule Marshall, Dionne Brand, Shani Mootoo, and Julia Alvarez, to name just a fraction, have contributed to our understanding of Caribbean and (Caribbean) diaspora cultures and societies through different literatures, showing a broad spectrum of styles, techniques, and themes. Their works often (but by no means exclusively) address the intersecting issues of gender, class, sexuality, and “race” and provide highly valuable starting points for critical exchange on these issues.

The course will cover a selection of works by different women writers from the Caribbean and its diasporas including novels, life writings, short stories, critical essays, etc. The focus of the seminar will be put on close readings and group discussions of these primary texts. Essential background reading material will be provided.
Students can obtain up to 3 credit points (and grade) and/or Studienleistung.

Please note: this seminar will take place every other week from 16-20.