[ENGL 604-5] Diaspora Studies

Course Title: Diaspora Studies

Course Description

This course explores significant concepts, debates, and cultural expressions that define the field of diaspora studies. Examines how diasporic identities are constructed, negotiated, and transformed.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain conceptual development and key theoretical frameworks related to diaspora.
• Examine how identity is constructed and negotiated within diasporic contexts.
• Interpret and analyze literary and cultural texts that articulate diasporic experiences.

Course Contents

Unit I: Foundations of Diaspora Studies (12 Hours)

1. Stéphane Dufoix: "Diaspora before It Became a Concept" from Routledge Handbook
2. James Clifford: "Diasporas" from Cultural Anthropology
3. Robin Cohen: "Four Phases of Diaspora" from Global Diasporas
4. Khachig Tölölyan: "Diaspora Studies: Past, Present and Promise"

Unit II: Home, Identity, and Digital Network (9 Hours)

1. William Safran: "Diasporas in Modern Societies" from Diaspora
2. Stuart Hall: "Cultural Identity and Diaspora"
3. Mihaela Nedelcu: "Digital Diasporas" from Routledge Handbook

Unit III: Intersectionality of Identity (9 Hours)

1. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: "The Thing Around Your Neck"
2. Mira Nair: Mississippi Masala (Movie)
3. Hanif Kureishi: "My Son the Fanatic" from Love in a Blue Time

Unit IV: Fragmented Home (9 Hours)

1. Samrat Upadhyaya: "America the Great Equalizer" from Mad Country
2. Mahmoud Darwish: "Passport"
3. Sarah Gavron: Brick Lane (Movie)

Unit V: Culture, Memory, and Identity (9 Hours)

1. Chinelo Okparanta: "America" from Happiness, Like Water
2. Maxine Hong Kingston: "No Name Woman" from The Woman Warrior
3. Meena Alexander: Fault Lines (2013)

Evaluation Scheme

Internal Evaluation

External Examination

Prescribed Text

Cohen, Robin. Global Diasporas: An Introduction. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2008.