MDES GU4122

This is a great course, especially for those who only have the Western perspective of literature. Reading novels from different countries in Africa was an eye-opener.

I learned so much in this course. I saw new perspectives in how people view African literature.

This is a class that takes a critical look at the novel in Africa. The authors are selected with care, the topics and themes we discuss are done with care, and the ability to navigate the material is done in such a way that the overall amount of reading does not feel overwhelming. Take this class. You will not regret it. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2023 Course: MDESGU4122_001_2023_1-THENOVELINAFRICA : MDESGU4122_001_2023_1 - THE NOVEL IN AFRICA Instructor: Jennifer Wenzel

This course deepened my understanding of African literature, not just as a body of texts, but as a dynamic conversation with history, decolonization, gender, and language politics. I learned to read novels with greater attention to form, narrative strategy, and cultural context. The course challenged me to think critically about how literature responds to political rupture, and how African writers use fiction to imagine new social futures. I read more than I had in any class.

Lots about African fiction, African history (pre-, post-, and colonial). Learned a lot about post-colonial disillusionment. Learned about Nigerian and South African tribes, the social systems of Africa, different myths and belief systems, folklore... All through novels!

I would recommend this course to students with a strong background or academic interest in African literature, postcolonial theory, or global Anglophone studies. The material is rewarding but demanding, and the expectations are high. For students looking to explore African novels out of general interest or from a less advanced starting point, the course may feel overwhelming at times. The professor is highly knowledgeable and committed, but the classroom environment can feel a bit rigid if students struggle to meet the expected level of analysis. More flexibility or support for students newer to these concepts would make the course more accessible.

LOVED this course. This was by far my favorite literature class I've taken at Columbia (I've taken a lot). I feel like I learned so much about history and literature. I really liked how it was set up: our readings consisted of novels often accompanied by critical readings which I think complemented each other well and really deepened my reading and understanding of the texts. Our class discussions were awesome too. We were a very small class, only 6 people, but the discussion was always awesome--in part because I think everyone was quite vested in the readings and the class and contributed really well, but also because the professor did a great job of framing and guiding and facilitating the discussion. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2025 Course: MDESGU4122_001_2025_1-THENOVELINAFRICA : MDESGU4122_001_2025_1 - THE NOVEL IN AFRICA Instructor: Jennifer Wenzel