This course focuses on the history of Jamaican literature and music with attention to the evolution of Jamaican English. Beginning with early, colonialist writings, we’ll examine tropes used to describe the landscape and the people during the periods of conquest, slavery, rebellion, and plantocracy. We'll proceed through the pre-Independence decades of the twentieth century to analyze the emerging literary and musical traditions and underlying socio-historical influences (nationalism, emigration, the colonial legacy, hybridity, Rastafarian culture, Pan-Africanism). We will study the African roots of Jamaican music and the metamorphosis of popular forms from Mento through Ska to Reggae. We will finally look at postcolonial issues that have influenced writers and musicians from the 1960s to the present (political upheaval, violence, urban poverty, Black consciousness) for Jamaican writers both at home and abroad. Some of the writers to be included: Claude McKay, Louise Bennett, Una Marson, Colin Channer, Kwame Dawes, Lorna Goodison, Marlon James, Andrea Levy, and Bob Marley. Fulfills the Diversity of Literatures in English requirement.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 30

Prerequisites: None

Instructor: Cezair-Thompson

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Typical Periods Offered: Every three years

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Not Offered

Notes: