Introduction to African literature and film

AFRAMER 111Y Subject & Catalog Number

Description

From traditional folktales reimagined on Netflix to groundbreaking novels and bold Nollywood productions, we’ll discover how African writers and filmmakers have shaped and reshaped the continent’s image from the 1950s to today. Together, we’ll read powerful works by authors like Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Dambudzo Marechera, Ama Ata Aidoo, Binyavanga Wainaina, Namwali Serpell among others, and engage with cinematic works by directors such as Ousmane Sembene and Tsitsi Dangarembga. We’ll explore how these creators respond to colonial histories, challenge stereotypes, celebrate culture, and imagine new futures. Students will gain tools to think critically about representation, identity, language, and power  and to appreciate Africa not as a single story, but as a continent of vast creative voices and visions. No prior knowledge is expected -  just curiosity, openness, and a willingness to see the world differently.