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69488-01 - Seminar: Magical Realism in Contemporary Iraqi Literature (3 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2023 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Wolfgang Trimmel (wolfgang.trimmel@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Representations of Iraq's recent violent history occupy a central place in contemporary Iraqi literature. Many writers use a narrative style often referred to in literary studies as magical realism. Working with texts by authors such as Sinān Anṭūn, Aḥmad as-Saʿdāwī or Ḥasan Balāsim, this seminar will examine literary representations of major historical developments, such as the 2003 Iraq War, the subsequent occupation, or the civil war against Islamic State. Among other things, the seminar will discuss the potential of magical realism to make traumatic historical events narratable, and the role that authors and literary texts can play in coming to terms with history. |
| Learning objectives | Upon successful completion of the seminar, students will have acquired: - an overview of major developments in contemporary Iraqi history - general knowledge of contemporary Iraqi literature - in-depth knowledge of selected literary texts and authors - in-depth knowledge of specific literary representations of contemporary Iraqi history - familiarity with magical realism as a common style in contemporary Iraqi literature. |
| Bibliography | Required reading: Saadawi, Ahmed. 2018. Frankenstein in Baghdad. London: Oneworld Publications. Antoon, Sinan. 2013. The Corpse Washer. New Haven & London: Yale University Press. Recommended reading: Fürtig, H. 2004 [2003]. Kleine Geschichte des Irak: von der Gründung 1921 bis zur Gegenwart. München: Beck. Arva, E. L. 2008. “Writing the vanishing real: Hyperreality and magical realism.” Journal of Narrative Theory 38:1, pp. 60-85. Bahoora, H. 2015. “Writing the dismembered nation: The aesthetics of horror in Iraqi narratives of war.” The Arab Studies Journal 23:1, pp. 184-208. |
| Comments | The seminar will be held in English unless all participants are fluent in German. Knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic is required (see "Teilnahmevoraussetzung"). |
| Admission requirements | This seminar is primarily intended for MA students. BA students are welcome to participate if they have completed the following courses: Arabic I-III as well as ALK I and II. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 20.09.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 27.09.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 04.10.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 11.10.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 18.10.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 25.10.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 01.11.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 08.11.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 15.11.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 22.11.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 29.11.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 06.12.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 13.12.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Wednesday 20.12.2023 | 10.15-12.00 | Maiengasse, Seminarraum U115 |
| Modules |
Modul: Themen der Near & Middle Eastern Studies (Master's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) Modul: Vertiefung Near & Middle Eastern Studies (Master's degree subject: Near & Middle Eastern Studies) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | Active participation in class, short presentations, and keeping a reading diary. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Nahost-Studien |