The Contemporary Global Novel

Module description

What is a global novel and who is a global novelist? This course explores a selection of late twentieth-century and twenty-first-century Anglophone novels in relation to recent debates over modernity and globalisation, and on the novel as truly global genre. This course asks what is the relationship between ‘global’ novels and the processes of globalisation? It considers the term ‘global’ with regards to thematic content, but also in relation to form, and cultural production and consumption.
It is divided into inter-related, themed sections that focus on the representation of ‘global’ histories, terror and extremism, war, migration and disaster, and their relationship to colonialism. It thus explores the connections between key concepts of postcolonial and globalisation theory through the perspectives these novels offer on the interstices of the global and the postcolonial.

Assessment details

3,000-word essay (100%)

Educational aims & objectives

This module explores a selection of late twentieth - century and twenty - first - century Anglophone novels in relation to recent debates over modernity and globalisation, and on the novel as truly global genre. This course asks what is the relationship between 'global' novels and the processes of globalisation? It considers the term 'global' with regards to thematic content, but also in relation to form, and cultural production and consumption. It is divided into inter - related, themed sections that focus on the representation of 'global' histories, terror and extremism, war, migration and disaster, and their relationship to colonialism. It thus explores the connections between key concepts of postcolonial and globalisation theory through the perspectives these novels offer on the interstices of the global and the postcolonial.

Learning outcomes

1. Understand why the novel is a truly global genre and why a global perspective is essential for literary studies in the 21st century.
2. Identify what the term 'global' means in terms of thematic content but also in relation to form, and the material conditions of literary production and consumption.
3. Effectively discuss, examine and respond to debates on the relationship between literature and globalisation and between postcolonial and globalisation theory.

Teaching pattern

One lecture and one seminar, weekly

Module description disclaimer

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Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.