The Cambridge Companion to Postcolonial Literary Studies

Offers a lucid introduction to postcolonial studies, one of the most important strands in recent literary theory and cultural studies.

Neil Lazarus (Edited by)

9780521534185, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 15 July 2004

352 pages
22.9 x 15 x 2 cm, 0.559 kg

'… an excellent foundation text for students and teachers alike … the coverage and coherence of this companion is exceptional.' Year's Work in Critical and Cultural Theory

The Cambridge Companion to Postcolonial Literary Studies, first published in 2004, offers a lucid introduction and overview of one of the most important strands in recent literary theory and cultural studies. The volume aims to introduce readers to key concepts, methods, theories, thematic concerns, and contemporary debates in the field. Drawing on a wide range of disciplines, contributors explain the impact of history, sociology and philosophy on the study of postcolonial literatures and cultures. Topics examined include everything from anti-colonial nationalism and decolonisation to globalisation, migration flows, and the 'brain drain' which constitute the past and present of 'the postcolonial condition'. The volume also pays attention to the sociological and ideological conditions surrounding the emergence of postcolonial literary studies as an academic field in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Companion turns an authoritative, engaged and discriminating lens on postcolonial literary studies.

Chronology
1. Introducing postcolonial studies Neil Lazarus
Part I. Social and Historical Context: 2. The global dispensation since 1945 Neil Lazarus
3. Anti-colonialism, national liberation, and postcolonial nation formation Tamara Sivanandan
4. The institutionalisation of postcolonial studies Benita Parry
Part II. The Shape of the Field: 5. Postcolonial literature in the western literary canon John Marx
6. Poststructuralism and postcolonial discourse Simon Gikandi
7. From development to globalisation: postcolonial studies and globalisation theory Timothy Brennan
8. Reading subaltern history Priyamvada Gopal
9. Temporality and postcolonial critique Keya Ganguly
Part III. Sites of Engagement: 10. Nationalism and postcolonial studies Laura Chrisman
11. Feminism in/and postcolonialism Deepika Bahri
12. Latin American postcolonial studies and global decolonisation Fernando Coronil
13. Migrancy, hybridity and postcolonial literary studies Andrew Smith.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: general [DSB], Literary theory [DSA], Literature: history & criticism [DS]