Inclusion of Literature Course

[muhsin]

For what justifiable reasons and benefits would you consider the inclusion of modern African Literature as a compulsory course in the English Department of most of the European, American and Asian Colleges and Universities?

[PeterL]

For what justifiable reasons and benefits would you consider the inclusion of modern African Literature as a compulsory course in the English Department of most of the European, American and Asian Colleges and Universities?

Was the literature written in English? If it was, then it is perfectly reasonable to include it in the study of English literature. If it was not written in English, then there are few justifiable reasons for inclusion.

[mono]

Indeed, I agree with PeterL. Unless a student felt interested in learning another language, then, by all means, please include African literature in the frame of students' studies. Throughout my college, I took a series of courses based on African and African-American literature, and loved it, but everything had either already underwent translation, or written in English from its original composition.

[muhsin]

Hello!
Mono and PeterL had a bit misunderstand my question I think. Although, I think its my fault not theirs because these two giants, had it been what I write is well-written they would have gist it from a glance.

Well, what I was asking is: Why the inclusion of AFRICAN while it isn't there? Why not American only if its America. Or European only if its Europe etc.
Moreover, two things were asked; Reasons and Academic benefits.

Thanks for your response

[PeterL]

Hello!
Mono and PeterL had a bit misunderstand my question I think. Although, I think its my fault not theirs because these two giants, had it been what I write is well-written they would have gist it from a glance.

Well, what I was asking is: Why the inclusion of AFRICAN while it isn't there? Why not American only if its America. Or European only if its Europe etc.
Moreover, two things were asked; Reasons and Academic benefits.

Thanks for your response

Your question still isn't completely clear, but I think that I understand the reasoning for requiring a course in African literature in an English literature program. It is desirable for students of literature to be exposed to other kinds of literature. That is the reason and the academic benefit.
Similarly, if a student in the US majored in American literature, the student would be required to take courses in British literature, because the two are so closely related, and a course in world literature might also be required to give more breadth. Fundamentally no national or regional literature exists by itself, there are influences from other cultures.

[Wild Apple]

Hello!
Mono and PeterL had a bit misunderstand my question I think. Although, I think its my fault not theirs because these two giants, had it been what I write is well-written they would have gist it from a glance.

Well, what I was asking is: Why the inclusion of AFRICAN while it isn't there? Why not American only if its America. Or European only if its Europe etc.
Moreover, two things were asked; Reasons and Academic benefits.

Thanks for your response

This can be largely imputed to political correctness and multi-culturalism. This requirement probably came into being in your department as the result of political pressure from groups that demand that all cultures be represented, despite the relevance to the degree you're seeking.

I don't think its entirely inappropriate for international texts to be required of English majors, because like PererL hinted at, the influences between regions of literature is great, but to require a course for sake of politics is disgraceful.

Note: For the most part, Non-American literature should be excluded from American literature courses in the interest of time, and perhaps more pertinent endemic influences. It is impossible to study every author's precursors in a 3 month period.

[subterranean]

For what justifiable reasons and benefits would you consider the inclusion of modern African Literature as a compulsory course in the English Department of most of the European, American and Asian Colleges and Universities?



What are they or who are they?
Are they huge?
Am I missing the boat here?


;)

[Virgil]

Hello!
Mono and PeterL had a bit misunderstand my question I think. Although, I think its my fault not theirs because these two giants, had it been what I write is well-written they would have gist it from a glance.

Well, what I was asking is: Why the inclusion of AFRICAN while it isn't there? Why not American only if its America. Or European only if its Europe etc.
Moreover, two things were asked; Reasons and Academic benefits.

Thanks for your response

This was my reaction too. I can understand in America, but why in Europe and Asia?


This can be largely imputed to political correctness and multi-culturalism. This requirement probably came into being in your department as the result of political pressure from groups that demand that all cultures be represented, despite the relevance to the degree you're seeking.
Yeah, this is probably right. I didn't have it as a requirement when I went to college. Don't get me wrong. There is some good literature there (Ralph Ellison's, Invisble Man is a classic!).

[muhsin]

What are they or who are they?
Are they huge?
Am I missing the boat here?


;)

So I think Mr. Critic:idea:

[Shannanigan]

Are we talking about African-American literature being a required course, as opposed to just having American Literature covering EVERYTHING American...or is this about literature actually coming out of Africa?

I'm a confused little girl taking African-American Literature this semester, lol.

[rabid reader]

If I am required to learn Shakespeare in my Canadian schools and Aristotle then African writings (Translated into English of course) should also have a voice.

[genoveva]

For what justifiable reasons and benefits would you consider the inclusion of modern African Literature as a compulsory course in the English Department of most of the European, American and Asian Colleges and Universities?

I don't think it is "justifiable" to make African Literature "compulsory" in an English Department. However, it sure would be a benefit for Literature majors to read African Literature, as well as many other types of World Literature. Why? To learn about global experiences, for one. Obviously there is a distinction between African Literature and African-American Literature. African Literature is by persons living in Africa (ex. Siphiwe Ka Ngwenya, Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali, and Chinua Achebe), while African-American Literature is by persons living in America who have relatives who originate from Africa (ex. Ralph Emerson, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka). There are differences and, there are similarities. This is world wide.

[muhsin]

Are we talking about African-American literature being a required course, as opposed to just having American Literature covering EVERYTHING American...or is this about literature actually coming out of Africa?

I'm a confused little girl taking African-American Literature this semester, lol.

Yes, my question was about Literature that comes from Africa simply not by any other part of the world. Moreover, not also African-American.

[muhsin]

I don't think it is "justifiable" to make African Literature "compulsory" in an English Department. However, it sure would be a benefit for Literature majors to read African Literature, as well as many other types of World Literature. Why? To learn about global experiences, for one. Obviously there is a distinction between African Literature and African-American Literature. African Literature is by persons living in Africa (ex. Siphiwe Ka Ngwenya, Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali, and Chinua Achebe), while African-American Literature is by persons living in America who have relatives who originate from Africa (ex. Ralph Emerson, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka). There are differences and, there are similarities. This is world wide.

I'm not clear my dear. Yo said:"I don't think it is "justifiable" to make African Literature "compulsory" in an English Department" and you again said:"To learn about global experiences, for one reason" What actually do you want say.

[genoveva]

I'm not clear my dear. Yo said:"I don't think it is "justifiable" to make African Literature "compulsory" in an English Department" and you again said:"To learn about global experiences, for one reason" What actually do you want say.

What I mean is that I don't think it should be compulsory, but I think it would be beneficial. Compulsory = you have too. Beneficial = it would be a good idea too. When studying literature, I think it is best to study your own literature, whatever that may be, and then begin to study other's literature. You know, the whole, "act locally, think globally" attitude.

[muhsin]

I now got you.
But again. How is it in your University? Compulsory or elective?

[genoveva]

Elective- if it is even offered!

[subterranean]

So I think Mr. Critic:idea:

I'm sorry that I didn't make myself clear, muhsin :).

What I was trying to state is that there are reasons why English and American literatures are widely taught around the globe. The same question might be raised for Asian literatures, in which I think (as an Asian) are no less wonderful, but somehow they have not yet received the same position as English and American literatures. This perhaps has something to do not only with the amount of literatures translated in to English (or the degree of interest to study African language, like mono stated), but also the relevance of the themes presented in the stories with the objectives of the study itself. We know that learning literature is sometimes also related with the study of important social and/or historical backgrounds behind them. You may want to enlighten me here about the relevance as so far, I hardly get in touch with African literatures :)

[muhsin]

I'm sorry that I didn't make myself clear, muhsin :).

What I was trying to state is that there are reasons why English and American literatures are widely taught around the globe. The same question might be raised for Asian literatures, in which I think (as an Asian) are no less wonderful, but somehow they have not yet received the same position as English and American literatures. This perhaps has something to do not only with the amount of literatures translated in to English (or the degree of interest to study African language, like mono stated), but also the relevance of the themes presented in the stories with the objectives of the study itself. We know that learning literature is sometimes also related with the study of important social and/or historical backgrounds behind them. You may want to enlighten me here about the relevance as so far, I hardly get in touch with African literatures :)

Oh! sorry for that little miscalculation.
Beside. How is it that you hardly get in touch with African lit.? I think the reason might not go beyond your lack of knowledge of how suitable they are. I don't wanna be too exagerated, if not I would say they are morethan as you'll ever think they are.
Do you have difficulties in getting one?
-your student

[genoveva]

Interestingly enough, the University of Oregon just advertised for a professor of African Literature!

[mono]

Interestingly enough, the University of Oregon just advertised for a professor of African Literature!
Truly, a class I will never regret taking in my college career! Of course, though living in Portland, I never attended the University of Oregon, I attended a 3-consecutive-term course of African and African-American literature from my former college.
Ugh, my heart still melts to the sound of poetry by Langston Hughes, and short stories by Zora Neale Hurston! :D

[Nightwalk]

This can be largely imputed to political correctness and multi-culturalism. This requirement probably came into being in your department as the result of political pressure from groups that demand that all cultures be represented, despite the relevance to the degree you're seeking.

I don't think its entirely inappropriate for international texts to be required of English majors, because like PererL hinted at, the influences between regions of literature is great, but to require a course for sake of politics is disgraceful.

Note: For the most part, Non-American literature should be excluded from American literature courses in the interest of time, and perhaps more pertinent endemic influences. It is impossible to study every author's precursors in a 3 month period.

Well stated.

The foundational literature of a country should be the priority in studies of it's literature. There should be a unifying consensus to this as to instill a sense of nationality to the nation's youth in this particular matter. The study of the literature of foreign cultures and nationalities should be optional.