106-110 Contemporary Global Literature

How de we imagine the world, and the world of literature, in the early 21st century? This subject introduces students to a range of contemporary writing in English from various locations around the world. We shall read these texts in the contexts of cultural globalisation and recent debates about national and global cultures, while also introducing some of the key concepts of contemporary literary studies, with a special focus on authorship and global celebrity. The set texts represent a range of genres - from the literary novel and poetry, to fantasy, crime fiction and globalised post-cyberpunk. Students who complete this subject will have a good knowledge of types of contemporary literature, cultural debates and critical approaches on which to base further studies in English and cultural studies.

Class attendance and participation is a subject requirement, as well as written work totalling 4000 words, comprising two essays of 1000 words each and an essay of 2000 words.

A subject reader will be available.

• Toni Morrison, Beloved.
• Neal Stephenson, The Diamond Age.
• Philip Pullman, Northern Lights.
• Arundhati Roy, The God of Small Things.
• Murray Bail, Eucalyptus.
• Sujata Massey, The Floating Girl.
• John Forbes, Collected Poems.