Global Cities In World Literature

AY2019/2020 Semester 1

Globalisation has been the driving force of cultural and economic flows for decades, if not centuries, yet we now stand at an historical moment where globalisation is undergoing rigorous interrogation all over the world. This module examines literary works that represent 'globa l cities' - cities that are particularly open to global flows of cultural products, capital, resources (including energy), and people. By inviting you to explore a range of literary forms that feature and respond to Singapore, London, Abu Dha bi and Johannesburg (among others), this module exami nes what global city texts can add to our understanding of world literature as a system and body of work. Students with an interest in globalisation, world literature and literary theory more broadly will thrive on this module and gain strong theoretical foundations to take into future studies, whilst also gaining a renewed appreciation of global cultura a and economic dynamics.