Fictions of the Indian Ocean World
Mahasweta Baxipatra
English
Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, Australia: all are connected through the Indian Ocean. Goods, people, and ideas have moved through and across the region since Antiquity. Arguably the “first global economy,” the Indian Ocean World nonetheless has usually been relegated to the margins of history and literary studies alike. In this course, we will explore connections in the Indian Ocean World through novels, including works by prize-winning Indian author Amitav Ghosh, the Mauritian writer Lindsey Collen, and the Kenyan writer Yvonne Owuor. Final grades will be based on class preparation and participation (10%); presentations (20%), three short papers (30%) and one long paper (40%). Primary texts: · Lindsey Collen, Mutiny ISBN 978-0747557722 · Amitav Ghosh, River of Smoke ISBN 978-1250013750 · Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, The Dragonfly Sea ISBN 978-0451494047
Catalog Information: HON-H 234 LITERATURE OF TIME AND PLACE