BALCS 4-1

This course is an introduction to the politics, motifs, and aesthetics of postcolonial writing through a critical interaction with foundational literary texts from the decolonizing world. The course begins with postcolonial texts from the Philippines and compares these with the postcolonial traditions of other contexts in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

This course is a continuation of Literatures of Asia 1 and offers a comparative and critical exploration of representative literary works from East Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. It examines diverse genres such as poetry, fiction, drama, and essays that reflect the historical, philosophical, and cultural complexities of Asian societies, especially during modern times. Emphasis is placed on understanding how themes such as identity, spirituality, postcolonialism, gender, and modernity shape Asian literary traditions and their global significance. Through close reading, analytical writing, and interpretive discussions, students will engage with major authors and movements that highlight Asia’s dynamic literary landscape and its dialogue with the world.