BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LITERATURE

1. Introduction:

This syllabus takes into consideration the recent local and global developments in literature as well as recent trends in the marketability of Literature graduates.  Kenya is no longer a literary desert and a lot of literary works, written in the full range of literary genres have becomes available in the last decade and a half.  Therefore, in addition to oral literature, Kenyan written literature deserves a place of its own and a more vigorous study.  As such, this syllabus gives it a more prominent place, separating it from East African Literature as had been the case.  Furthermore, east Africa has become a larger community and the content of east African literature has been expanded to include literary works from Southern Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda and Somalia.  In order to cover the full range of the African Continent, attention has been given to the literature of North-Africa.

On the global scene, Kenya is expanding her contacts with the countries of the Far East, therefore, in addition to Indian and Japanese, we are now also proposing courses in Chinese and Korean Literature.

We believe that the new courses offered will give an advantage to those who opt to teach, become journalists or literary critics and professionals in Kenya, at international schools, the African region and the Middle East of the rest of the world.  In addition, the undergraduate students will be exposed to a wide variety of Literatures which will give them a strong foundation in preparation of the revised MA in Literature course, offering specializations in African Literature, Literature of the Global South, and European Literature.

The aim of this syllabus is to create a strong theoretical, philosophical and practical foundation in the study and appreciation of Literature.  The syllabus focuses on the theoretical, historical, regional, global and generic components of the discipline so as to produce graduates who can confidently and completely handle literary texts from varied socio-cultural environments, but without neglecting the centrality of African and the Diaspora.  Introductory Literature courses are meant to equip the students with basic analytical and theoretical skills as well as aesthetic appreciation of literature are offered in the first and second years.  More complex textual appreciation is handled in the subsequent two years.  More complex textual appreciation is handled in the subsequent two years.  The rest of the syllabus caters for a broader exposure to literary texts through prose, poetry, drama as well as oral literature within the framework of textual and generic variety.  This programme caters for both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education students.  The programme takes into consideration the specific needs of B.Ed students as teachers in secondary school.

2.0 Objectives

On the successful completion of this course the learner should be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of literary art and the theoretical postulates that have evolved within the art;
2. Relate developments in literature to the dynamics of historical and social change;
3. Correctly interpret literary texts and effectively present literary analysis;
4. Demonstrate an appreciation of the literatures of different geographical regions.
5. Undertake independent literary research.