LMS, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo

Medium of Instruction: EM

Name of Lecturer(s) : Ruhanie Perera

Course Description:

Migration is a complex global phenomenon today, and the course focuses on the migrant experience as they have been portrayed in literature, films, performances, documentaries, art installations and essays. These creative works draw on key historical events that have led to migrations and re-settlement. The migration narratives are approached as discourses – writing that emerges from social, cultural, and political contexts, and therefore provide insights into the author’s engagement with global disparities, multiculturalism, the role of new media in expressing identity politics, the politics of re-settlement, and the location of the individual in relation to community. 

Learning outcomes:

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

1. Critically engage with the issues related to migrant experiences and migrant writing and to apply what is learnt in class to the contemporary world.

 2. Read and analyse selected literary texts of migrant writing at some depth, and discuss the writing in terms of key themes, narrative styles, form and approach, critical concepts and the politics of representation.

 3. Critically use some key concepts and essays on migration and migrant literature.

 4. Engage as informed discussants on a range of contemporary migrant experiences.