Malaysian Literature in English DR. IDA BAIZURA BAHAR BBL 3206 Malaysian Literature in English DR. IDA BAIZURA BAHAR

Major Topics for BBL 3206 Historical development of Malaysian Literature in English Major Trends/issues in MLIE Translated works in English Malaysian poetry in English: The Issue of Identity: Race, Gender, Class Malaysian Short Stories in English: The Issue of Identity: Race, Gender, Class Malaysian Drama in English: Malayness in MLIE Malaysian novels in english: Malayness in MLIE

Introduction to the course Course synopsis (see attached handout) In this course, we will explore the creative works of Malaysian writers written in English. The course traces the development of Malaysian Literature in English relation to its status/relation to national literature, contribution to national identity and nation building. The discussion on selected works for the class is approached from their thematic angle, literary style and narrative technique. The handout attached has a list of the required readings for the course. These works will not be covered in the course according to genre, but as we address particular issues or topics within Malaysian Literature in English. You are encouraged to explore further other works within MLIE that you find can also be used in discussing the topics delineated in the course.

Topic 1 HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF MALAYSIAN LITERATURE IN ENGLISH Introducing Malaysian Literature in English What is MLIE? New Literature in English? Commonwealth Literature in English? How does Holden define MLIE? (see attached handout) The status and role of the English language in Malaysia, MLIE as ‘sectional literature’ How does MLIE fit into the bigger Malaysian literature? Can translated works be accepted within MLIE?

Topic 2 MLIE achievements Who are the older generation of writers? Who are the younger generation of writers? MLIE’s challenges What are the challengers faced by MLIE? MLIE’s prospects and future What are the prospects and future of MLIE?

Topic 3 Colonial vs Postcolonial Condition: Resisting or Reconciling? (reading: Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s “A View of Our Own: Ethnocentric Perspectives in Literature”) How would you define the post-colonial world, or the post-colonial condition? What does the author mean by ‘decolonising the means of imagination’? What should be the most ‘democratic’ art form? What is meant by ‘linguistic hegemony’? How has the African mind been imprisoned? “…the collective peasant has become a foreigner in his own country.’ Discuss this statement, in relation to our own Malaysian context.

Topic 4 The Politics of Language in Malaysian Literature Read Shirley Lim’s “Tongue and Root: Language in Exile” (attached) What did the National Language Act of 1967 entail? What did the Constitutional Amendment Act of 1971 do? What happened to English with passing of this Amendment Act?

Topic 5 Multiculturalism through MLIE What does it mean to be Malaysian? How is ‘Malaysianness’ captured in MLIE? Should the use of Malaysian English be part of what is defined as MLIE? How does the cultural landscape of a story help make it Malaysian?

Topic 6 MLIE and Nation-building Imagining “Bangsa Malaysia” History of Malaysia in relation to colonial experience The state of the nation in terms of ethnicity, race, gender & class “Polarities” of Malaysian literature

Topic 7 Translated Works Should we include our translated works in MLIE? Read Muhammad Haji Salleh’s “From the Cave of Denial and Discontent, Darkly: Response to Wong Phui Nam’s Review of An Anthology of Contemporary Malaysian Literature” (attached)

Topic 8 Identity, Race, Gender and Class Racial identification, integration Women’s positions and Cultural stereotypes Economic status and ethnicity

Topic 9 “Malayness” Malay as a race/ethnicity Malay’s position Stereotypes of Malays Politics of the nation

Topic 10 Critical Works What has been the focal points/views in the analysis of MLIE Who are the major critics of MLIE?

Assignment and Examination See attached handout for assignment questions Deadline for assignment is stated in the course outline For description about the test and final examination, please read the course outline