This course invites you to enter the vibrant yet complex cultural landscape of colonial India through literature. In his iconic novel ‘A Passage to India’, E. M. Forster grapples with cross cultural tensions between Indians and British colonials. Racial prejudice and cultural misunderstandings are brought to the fore in Forster’s complex and fascinating picture of the British raj in the 1920s.
Courses
A Passage to India: Exploring Colonial Literature
When & Where
-
7 November 2024 - 14 November 2024 ( 4 hours, 2 weeks )
- Afternoon, Thursday
-
View course timetable
-
Waterloo Centre
Quick Facts
- Availability Yes
- Course Code W24HMSC01A
- Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course
What you will learn
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Gain understanding of colonial India through the lens of the novel
- Explore the social, political, and cultural dynamics of British rule in India during the early twentieth century through this novel
- Examine the impact of colonialism on individuals and communities: identity, subjugation, resistance, collaboration, racial prejudice, the struggle for independence
- Develop skills in literary criticism
- Explore the enduring value of the chosen novel in terms of world cultural history and modern attitudes towards colonialism.
Cost
Full fee
£45
Concession fee
£45
Class format and activities
The course will cultivate a communicative and engaging learning environment in which students can appreciate and explore E. M. Forster’s ‘A Passage to India’. Activities include interactive lectures, class and small group discussion. Through close reading and analysis, students will learn how to identify key dramatic events, evaluate effective writing and literary techniques. Discussions will involve collaborative exploration of colonial themes and interpretations of the legacy of colonialism, and the enduring value of the chosen novel in terms of world cultural history and modern attitudes towards colonialism.
Entry requirements
This course is open to anyone with an interest in literature and British colonialism in India. No prior knowledge of India or the chosen novel is required. The ability to read and speak English at a good level of fluency will be helpful to participation on this course.
What you need to know before you enrol
Students are encouraged to read or to begin reading the novel in advance of the course beginning.
What you need
Notebook and pen or pencil
What you can do next
Study further Exploring Colonial Literature Courses including 'Out of Africa' and 'Black Narcissus'.
