230357 Reading the Caribbean-Canadian Im/Migration Experience in the 21st Century (S) (SoSe 2016)

In the twenty-first century, cultural production seems to increasingly deal with the topic of migration(s) even though this is by no means a new phenomenon; the entire history of the Americas, for instance, is characterized by forced and voluntary migrations. Migration(s) of people undoubtedly have an impact both on the receiving societies as well as on the societies from which they have departed; migration processes influence and challenge societies, politics, and histories on many different levels. However, individual (or personal) experiences seem to be neglected far too often in such sociopolitical debates. It is thus all the more important to remember that definitions of “diaspora”, “immigrant”, “citizen”, and so forth are not straightforward terms that (can) designate a particular identity. Like “race”, they are man-made constructs which are used to describe, categorize, and in many cases, oppress people.

This course deals with the specific corpus of twenty-first-century works by Caribbean-Canadian writers who write from a diaspora location in Canada. In other words, we will read and discuss a sampling of texts by people/writers who have emigrated from different regions in the Caribbean to Canada (as well as texts by 2nd-generation im/migrants). These works of im/migrant literature can, among other things, contribute to our understanding of Caribbean (already a site of diaspora(s)) and (Caribbean) diaspora cultures and societies. Further, they may provide important impulses in regard to the study of Canada and, specifically, its trendsetter status as a multicultural society. Further, they show a wide spectrum of forms, styles, and themes and frequently address the intersecting issues of “race”, gender, class, and sexuality, thus providing an intriguing impetus for critical exchange on these issues. However, it is important to keep in mind that these works also deal with broader global issues and that any discussion needs to acknowledge the literary value of such works, i.e. discussions must not render these texts to the margins of literary production or limit them to the depiction of the "im/migration experience" alone (even if the latter constitutes the focus of this class).

The seminar will cover a selection of works by different writers from the Caribbean diaspora in Canada including novels, life-writing texts, short stories, critical essays, etc. The focus of the seminar will be put on close readings and group discussions. Moreover, there will be essential reading on and discussion of the genre of im/migrant literature, Canada as immigration destination, the Caribbean diasporic context as one that is characterized by multiple dispersals and complex forms of belonging, and terminologies surrounding processes of migration more generally. Further background reading material will be provided.

Students can obtain 3 credit points in form of a Studienleistung. Requirements will be announced in the first session.