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The Politics of (Post-)Colonialism - POL00060H

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  • Department: Politics
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Sara De Jong
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2020-21
    • See module specification for other years: 2019-20

Module summary

This module traverses through the politics of colonialism across different regions and considers the implications for contemporary post-colonial politics and international relations, including conflict, development, and migration.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching cycle
A Spring Term 2020-21

Module aims

This module traverses through the politics of colonialism across different regions and considers the implications for contemporary post-colonial politics and international relations, including conflict, development, and migration. This module will equip students with an advanced understanding of how the politics in the colonial metropole and the periphery are intertwined. We will discuss how politics in the colonies shaped coloniser countries and vice versa, by looking at, for instance, colonial ideology & everyday politics; anti-colonial resistance, nationalism & independence; wars & colonial armies; and migration.

Students will develop an in-depth understanding of how the politics of colonialism across different regions continues to shape the contemporary order and be equipped with a range of conceptual tools drawing from postcolonial and decolonial theories.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

- Demonstrate specialist knowledge of the relations between historical dynamics rooted in colonialism and the contemporary global political order;

- Independently apply and critically evaluate advanced theoretical approaches in relation to colonial politics and its postcolonial continuities;

- Demonstrate a reflective approach to knowledge production and the use of alternative epistemologies from the South; and to show awareness of the relation between colonial power and knowledge production.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment.  They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 20 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend.  They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

Césaire, A. (1950) Discourse on Colonialism. Paris: Editions Réclame.

Ling, L. (2002) Postcolonial International Relations: Conquest and Desire between Asia and the West. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

McClintock, A. (1995) Imperial Leather: Race, Gender and Sexuality in the Colonial Contest. London: Routledge

Quijano, A. (2007) ‘Coloniality and Modernity/Rationality’, Cultural Studies 21(2), pp 168–178.

Said, E. (1978) Orientalism. London: Penguin Books.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): changes to courses

The 2020/21 academic year will start in September. We aim to deliver as much face-to-face teaching as we can, supported by high quality online alternatives where we must.

Find details of the measures we're planning to protect our community.

Course changes for new students