17355a

SoSe 21: S-Lit. Stud.: Periods-Genres-Concepts: Zadie Smith

Justus Conrad Gronau

Kommentar

In this course, we will read and critically examine a selection of fictional and non-fictional texts by the internationally acclaimed author Zadie Smith. This seminar not only discusses her successful novels White Teeth (2000) and On Beauty (2005) but also a selection of her recent short stories published in Grand Union (2019). We will analyse these texts with a particular focus on the constructions of identity/alterity and the intersections of age, race, class and gender as well as the aftermaths of colonialism. Additionally, we shall reflect on some of Smith’s recent essays, with topics ranging from, for example, Barthes and the death of the author to language as a “convenient battlefield” and impossible identities. If meeting on campus remains impossible due to the pandemic, this class will be taught live via WebEx and involves weekly assignments, including presentations of individual readings by students. Students are asked to obtain the novels mentioned above. The editions used in class are: Smith, Zadie. On Beauty. London: Hamilton, 2005. ISBN: 9780241142943 [Titel anhand dieser ISBN in Citavi-Projekt übernehmen] . Smith, Zadie. White Teeth. London: Penguin Books, 2017 [2000]. ISBN: 9780241981399 [Titel anhand dieser ISBN in Citavi-Projekt übernehmen] . Further course material will be made available at the beginning of the semester. Schließen