Amitav Ghoshs Ibis Trilogy - Einzelansicht

In this course on Indian English writer Amitav Ghoshs Ibis trilogy, we will discuss Seas of Poppies (2008), River of Smoke (2011) and Flood of Fire (2015) in detail. Set in South and South East Asia in the context of the so-called Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860), the novels trace and interconnect the lives of a diverse set of characters that all are somehow entangled with legacies and contemporary realities of colonialism and imperialism. Important stations along the way are Calcutta, Bombay, Mauritius and Canton. Among other things, we will discuss
- the ideology of "free trade" and how it is bound up with Christianity, imperialism and liberalism,
- indentured servitude as a replacement system for slavery,
- strategies of "passing",
- Western "science" and "discoveries" in the colonial encounter and their capitalist implications, as well as
- gender roles, homosexuality, female agency and different constructions of masculinity.

Login Information for our first session:

https://uni-potsdam.zoom.us/j/61335663766
Meeting ID: 613 3566 3766
Passcode: 45818715

From 20 April onward, the course will start at 2 pm sharp.

Students are expected to obtain and have read all books of the Ibis trilogy:
Sea of Poppies (2008)
River of Smoke (2011)
Flood of Fire (2015)

For 3/6 graded credit points, students are expected to submit a research paper whose length depends on the respective study regulations.
For 3 ungraded credit points, students are expected to give an argumentative 15-minute input presentation and moderate the subsequent in-class discussion.
All students are expected to prepare a number of short written responses throughout the semester and participate actively in the discussions.