[1,000 to 1,500 words] Students will read Alain Mabanckou’s The Death of Comrade President, a novel, and write a review that places it within the context of the course. Students will place Mabanckou’s literary story into the context of coups in newly independent states and with regards to one party rule and development as discussed in class. Students will also apply Luttwak’s explanatory taxonomy of a coup to the events in the novel. The paper is not a summary of the novel, but uses the novel as a lens on the subject matter of the course. Before writing this assignment, the class will examine and discuss successful writing tools and approaches.

20% of final grade

1,000 to 1,500 words

The written assignment, “Coup in Literature” is designed to apply our academic study of coups to a literary representation of a coup in 1970s Africa .

For the assignment, DO NOT write a summary of the events of the novel. Do not retell the plot. Remember we are using this novel to discuss the histories of coups. Examine Mabanckou’s telling of a coup and its effect on common people. Compare Mabanckou’s description of how power is seized to historical examples and to the theoretical ideas in Luttwak’s Handbook. Most of all consider if the literary representation adds to your understanding of coups, if it complements the course. Much of the course has focused on the drama of high politics.  Mabanckou describes the same events from the perspective of a commoner.  By using someone on the cusp of adulthood we get an even more unvarnished view.  Consider how this story alters the focus of the study of coups and societies.  Alternately, you are free to argue that the novel detracts from the course. You can do additional research beyond the material of the course, but you are not required (or expected) to.

In your written paper, you should cite directly from the novel at least once, and also cite something else from the course at least once as well. In each of these cases, and with any additional direct quotes or with ideas derived from other sources you must properly cite the source (I prefer footnotes and use Chicago style of citations).

Please turn the paper in as an attachment to an e-mail (I prefer a word document) by February 28.