How does literature allow us to place a critical focus upon marginalised and under-represented voices from a range of periods and geographies? We will explore the ways through which literary adaptations speak to the questions of agency on which activism and rights depend. Does literature have the capacity to effect change in the political sphere? How do literary and artistic engagements with rights in different spheres shape our understanding of historical and ongoing injustices and inequities? How do writers of colour ‘write back’ into canonical texts via adaptation, and why? These questions frame the enquiry into a body of literature that will focus on a combination of themes such as sovereignty, land/environment, racial politics, movement/mobility, property, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more (topics will vary from year to year). Students will emerge with an advanced understanding of how literature, adaptation and a focus on marginalised voices can deepen our engagement with politics both in the past and present, and become a catalyst for change and how contemporary political formations can be re-imagined.
Lecture 16, Workshop 16, Lecture 16, Workshop 16
#SPILL!
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
Apply activism and adaptation theories in original ways to a range of literary and artistic outputs
Interpret literary and artistic outputs via an activist and adaptation framework
Critically evaluate the way literature and art can shape public and political course via acts of activism and adaptation
Interpret marginalised voices from a range of periods and geographies to compare historical, political and national processes
Create and communicate self-directed research ideas that demonstrates an ability to apply critical theory to a diverse range of literary/artistic outputs (text, film, theatre, exhibition)
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