This course looks at freshly translated or newly rediscovered gems of international writing from the second half of the 20th century. Texts include The Way to Colonos by Kay Cicellis (Greece); God’s Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane (Senegal); Behind the Portrait by Siburapha (Thailand); and Woman in the Pillory by Brigitte Reimann (Germany).
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
You will read, analyse and discuss carefully selected treasures of world literature, from the second half of the 20th century.
Kay Cicellis’s novel, The Way to Colonos, is a modern retelling of Greek tragedy; God’s Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane is an epic saga of colonial times in Senegal; Behind the Portrait by Siburapha and Woman in the Pillory by Brigitte Reimann are stories of love, loss and death from Asia and Europe respectively.
What will we cover?
Through an examination of cosmopolitan colonial encounters, we will explore contrasting literary depictions of historical change and its impact on everyday experience. We will also look at dramatic depictions of family conflicts and complex relationships.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Confidently discuss a variety of genres from Asia, Africa, and from the post-WWII period in Europe, which produced many prominent writers.
Recognize the enduring relevance of ancient myth in contemporary storytelling.
Understand and define some of the ways in which historical and political contexts can shape literary production.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Anyone with an interest in 20th century fiction with a cosmopolitan sweep is welcome.
You will need an enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in a group.
You will be willing and able to read and prepare outside the class.
You will be interested in listening to, and learning from, the responses of other students to the works discussed.
You will have a commitment to developing your analytical skills.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be a mixture of tutor input and class discussion. The first session will be an introduction to the texts.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need to borrow or buy the course texts (below). A full reading list will be provided before the course begins.
The Way to Colonos by Kay Cicellis
God’s Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane
Woman in the Pillory by Brigitte Reimann
Behind the Portrait by Siburapha
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other literature courses under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/tales-from-everywhere3060031Tales from Everywherehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/literature-taster-poetry-hlt373-1080.jpg279279GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction22851177118711881228511771187<p>This course looks at freshly translated or newly rediscovered gems of international writing from the second half of the 20th century. Texts include <em>The Way to Colonos</em> by Kay Cicellis (Greece); God’s Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane (Senegal); Behind <em>the Portrait</em> by Siburapha (Thailand); and <em>Woman in the Pillory</em> by Brigitte Reimann (Germany). </p>003060025Tales from Everywhere279279https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/literature-taster-poetry-hlt373-1080.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLT16279279Tales from Everywhere223181279Aamer Husseintales-from-everywhere/hlt16-2627<p>This course looks at freshly translated or newly rediscovered gems of international writing from the second half of the 20th century. Texts include <em>The Way to Colonos</em> by Kay Cicellis (Greece); God’s Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane (Senegal); Behind <em>the Portrait</em> by Siburapha (Thailand); and <em>Woman in the Pillory</em> by Brigitte Reimann (Germany). </p>0000-Available|2026-09-16 00:00:00<p>You will read, analyse and discuss carefully selected treasures of world literature, from the second half of the 20th century. </p><p lang="EN-GB">Kay Cicellis’s novel, <em>The Way to Colonos</em>, is a modern retelling of Greek tragedy; <em>God’s Bits of Wood</em> by Sembene Ousmane is an epic saga of colonial times in Senegal; <em>Behind the Portrait</em> by Siburapha and <em>Woman in the Pillory</em> by Brigitte Reimann are stories of love, loss and death from Asia and Europe respectively. </p><p> </p><p>This course looks at freshly translated or newly rediscovered gems of international writing from the second half of the 20th century. Texts include <em>The Way to Colonos</em> by Kay Cicellis (Greece); God’s Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane (Senegal); Behind <em>the Portrait</em> by Siburapha (Thailand); and <em>Woman in the Pillory</em> by Brigitte Reimann (Germany). </p><p>Through an examination of cosmopolitan colonial encounters, we will explore contrasting literary depictions of historical change and its impact on everyday experience. We will also look at dramatic depictions of family conflicts and complex relationships.</p><ul><li><p>Confidently discuss a variety of genres from Asia, Africa, and from the post-WWII period in Europe, which produced many prominent writers. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB">Recognize the enduring relevance of ancient myth in contemporary storytelling. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB">Understand and define some of the ways in which historical and political contexts can shape literary production. </p></li></ul><p>Anyone with an interest in 20th century fiction with a cosmopolitan sweep is welcome. </p><p lang="EN-GB">You will need an enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in a group. </p><p lang="EN-GB">You will be willing and able to read and prepare outside the class. </p><p lang="EN-GB">You will be interested in listening to, and learning from, the responses of other students to the works discussed. </p><p lang="EN-GB">You will have a commitment to developing your analytical skills. </p><p>There will be a mixture of tutor input and class discussion. The first session will be an introduction to the texts. </p><p>You will need to borrow or buy the course texts (below). A full reading list will be provided before the course begins. </p><ul><li><p><em>The Way to Colonos</em> by Kay Cicellis </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB"><em>God’s Bits of Wood</em> by Sembene Ousmane </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB"><em>Woman in the Pillory</em> by Brigitte Reimann </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB"><em>Behind the Portrait</em> by Siburapha </p></li></ul><p>Look for other literature courses under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureFictionvirtual223279181HLT16NONEWed16/09/26 - 25/11/2612:45 - 14:4512:4514:4510 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAamer HusseinBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-16T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities279279Tales from Everywheretales-from-everywhere/hlt16-2627<p>This course looks at freshly translated or newly rediscovered gems of international writing from the second half of the 20th century. Texts include <em>The Way to Colonos</em> by Kay Cicellis (Greece); God’s Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane (Senegal); Behind <em>the Portrait</em> by Siburapha (Thailand); and <em>Woman in the Pillory</em> by Brigitte Reimann (Germany). </p>0000-Available|2026-09-16 00:00:00<p>You will read, analyse and discuss carefully selected treasures of world literature, from the second half of the 20th century. </p><p lang="EN-GB">Kay Cicellis’s novel, <em>The Way to Colonos</em>, is a modern retelling of Greek tragedy; <em>God’s Bits of Wood</em> by Sembene Ousmane is an epic saga of colonial times in Senegal; <em>Behind the Portrait</em> by Siburapha and <em>Woman in the Pillory</em> by Brigitte Reimann are stories of love, loss and death from Asia and Europe respectively. </p><p> </p><p>This course looks at freshly translated or newly rediscovered gems of international writing from the second half of the 20th century. Texts include <em>The Way to Colonos</em> by Kay Cicellis (Greece); God’s Bits of Wood by Sembene Ousmane (Senegal); Behind <em>the Portrait</em> by Siburapha (Thailand); and <em>Woman in the Pillory</em> by Brigitte Reimann (Germany). </p><p>Through an examination of cosmopolitan colonial encounters, we will explore contrasting literary depictions of historical change and its impact on everyday experience. We will also look at dramatic depictions of family conflicts and complex relationships.</p><ul><li><p>Confidently discuss a variety of genres from Asia, Africa, and from the post-WWII period in Europe, which produced many prominent writers. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB">Recognize the enduring relevance of ancient myth in contemporary storytelling. </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB">Understand and define some of the ways in which historical and political contexts can shape literary production. </p></li></ul><p>Anyone with an interest in 20th century fiction with a cosmopolitan sweep is welcome. </p><p lang="EN-GB">You will need an enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in a group. </p><p lang="EN-GB">You will be willing and able to read and prepare outside the class. </p><p lang="EN-GB">You will be interested in listening to, and learning from, the responses of other students to the works discussed. </p><p lang="EN-GB">You will have a commitment to developing your analytical skills. </p><p>There will be a mixture of tutor input and class discussion. The first session will be an introduction to the texts. </p><p>You will need to borrow or buy the course texts (below). A full reading list will be provided before the course begins. </p><ul><li><p><em>The Way to Colonos</em> by Kay Cicellis </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB"><em>God’s Bits of Wood</em> by Sembene Ousmane </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB"><em>Woman in the Pillory</em> by Brigitte Reimann </p></li></ul><ul><li><p lang="EN-GB"><em>Behind the Portrait</em> by Siburapha </p></li></ul><p>Look for other literature courses under Culture, History and Humanities at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>LiteratureFictionconfigurable
11881187Fictionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/literature/fiction1/2/285/1177/1187/11881/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Literature/Fiction
