Narratives of Empowerment

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Cultural Narratives of Struggle and Empowerment: This course explores cultural narratives and individual stories rooted in themes of struggle, empowerment, and self-discovery. Through a close examination of a rich array of literary and non-literary works (including short stories from around the world, documentaries and film productions), we will gain a deeper understanding of how individuals across various cultures grapple with issues of power, how they redress injustices, how they reclaim identity against societal constraints, and how they maintain a sense of self amid chaos. Particular attention will be paid to the ways in which writers representing various traditions, including in contemporary world literature, critique societal power structures, confront socio-economic injustices, and navigate political turmoil. Among the topics that will be discussed is how unprivileged communities and marginalized individuals across class, gender, racial, and ethnic divides strive to subvert a system that ensnares them and to advocate for change. Of relevance is also how cultural experiences and individual journeys reflect, depict, and contest both the dominant societal mindset and the socio-cultural and political ethos of the time.