[ Introduction and Description | Schedule and Readings | Assessment and Policies | Related Resources ]
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Philip Holden (Module Chair) |
| Office: AS5 05-26 Consultation Hours: Tuesday, 1.00-2.30 |
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| Phone: 6516-4950 | |
| Email: ellhpj@nus.edu.sg |
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Chitra Sankaran(Lecturer) |
| Office:AS 5 03-01 | |
| Phone: 6516-3935 | |
| Email: ellcs@nus.edu.sg |
Lecture: Thursdays 1000 - 1200, AS7/01-01
Using selected Singapore texts from a variety of different genres, this module aims to enable students to explore the historical roots and contemporary relevance of literary production in Singapore. Beginning with colonial writing, the module moves through considerations of national and postcolonial literatures to the contemporary concerns. Given Singapore's history, the notion of a "Singapore" text will be used creatively in order to reflect upon the growth of Singaporean identity and culture.
We will teach the module in three units, each using a variety of literary texts written by Singaporeans or about Singapore in order to illuminate a central question.
In this first week we'll be finding our bearings and asking a series of basic questions before we proceed. What is a literary text, and what frameworks can we use to study it? Why and how should we study Singapore Literature? What is Literature's relevance, if any, in our contemporary society ?
This unit will consider a number of texts written in or of Singapore and Malaya before Singapore achieved independence 1965. We will look at a series of short stories published in the first half of the twentieth century, and then move forward to poetry published by a group of young writers at the University of Malaya in 1950 and 1951.
In this central section of the module we will look at two texts written in the 1970s and 1980s. Lloyd Fernando’s novel Scorpion Orchid is written by a Malaysian but describes the struggles of university friends in the immediate pre-independence period. Stella Kon’s Emily of Emerald Hill is perhaps one of the most important plays in the early growth of drama in Singapore.
This final unit will look at contemporary literature written in the last decade. The texts we will examine are written by writers who have a strong connection to Singapore, yet have also resided for long periods elsewhere. We will thus be interested in thinking of the boundaries of "Singapore Literature" in an increasingly globalized world.
We'll review the module, and also prepare for the examination.
Interactive and participatory learning is central to the module. While the reading load might initially seem heavy, much of the early material consists of extracts from longer works. The weekly lectures will involve interactivity, and the tutorials, held every other week, will consist of structured and unstructured discussions. There won't be any place for "sleepers"--make sure you have read the text and are able to talk about it.
The module will also have a related IVLE discussion forum, through which we'll supplement what happens in class, and prepare for in-class discussions.
Last updated: 11 January, 2007