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79373-01 - Research seminar: Memory, Belonging and Identity in Contemporary Postcolonial Poetry (4 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers | Ana Sobral (ana.sobral@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | This course explores the dynamic intersections of postcolonial experiences through the powerful voices of several contemporary groundbreaking poets: Warsan Shire (Somalia/UK), Natalie Diaz (Mojave/USA), Koleka Putuma (South Africa), Alok Vaid Menon (India/USA), Ocean Vuong (Vietnam/USA), and Arielle Twist (Nehiyawe (Cree)/Canada). These poets navigate the legacies of empire, migration, and cultural erasure, challenging dominant narratives and reclaiming marginalized perspectives. Students will examine how they use language and form to articulate experiences of diaspora, indigenous sovereignty, gender fluidity, and the ongoing impacts of settler colonialism. |
| Learning objectives | The seminar invites students to reflect on the power of poetry as a site of healing, activism, and cultural affirmation in a world still marked by colonial legacies. |
| Bibliography | All relevant bibliography will be made available on ADAM. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | This research seminar is open only to MA and PhD students. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 17.09.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 24.09.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 01.10.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 08.10.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 15.10.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 22.10.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 29.10.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 05.11.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 12.11.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 19.11.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 26.11.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 03.12.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 10.12.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Thursday 17.12.2026 | 16.15-18.00 | Nadelberg 6, Raum 11 |
| Modules |
Modul: Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Literatur- und kulturwissenschaftliche Forschung (Master's degree program: Literary Studies) Modul: Literaturgeschichte (Master's degree program: Literary Studies) Modul: Research in Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Master's degree subject: English) Module: Fields: Media and Imagination (Master's degree program: African Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Learning Portfolio. Details will be communicated in the first session. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |