Postcolonial Critical Thought

This module explores the response and resistance to the historical relationships of power and domination, and to the entangled histories and practices of imperialism and colonialism in the modern period (late nineteenth-century to the present), in particular, from the perspectives of Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, the Caribbean and the former colonies.

A range of literary, cultural and theoretical texts will normally be included in the reading list. These will address decolonial practices in identifying, challenging and transforming colonial representations of empire, colony, nation, race, class, gender and sexuality and their inherent othering.

They will also examine, e.g., nationalism, feminism, liberalism and cosmopolitanism (to name but a few) as stragegies of empowerment in the contexts of colonialism, decolonisation and neo-colonialism in postcolonial societies and diasporic experiences, allowing us to explore the heterogeneous meanings, intersections and strategies of analysis that have emerged with reference to postcolonial studies.

Prerequisites

None.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the module

By the end of the module students will have:

• explored concepts of history, nationalism, migration, exile, diaspora, race, gender, sexuality, class and indigeneity postcolonial expressions and practices
• examined how communities, in particular, solidarities are imagined and created through a sense of beloning in time and place
• interrogated the dialogical relationship between cultural expression and political and/or ethical activism
• grasped the divergent postcolonial and deconial practices in a global context
• developed additional theoretical insights into domination and resistance

Workload

Total of 10 weeks teaching with 2 hours per week classroom contact.

Scope and syllabus

This module will explore the historical relationships of power, domination and practices of imperialism and colonialism in the modern period (late nineteenth-century to the present) through the study of literature and culture.

A range of literary, filmic and theoretical texts from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Near and Middle East will be included in the reading list. These will address representations of colonialism and decolonisation, neo-colonialism, nationalism in postcolonial societies and diasporic experiences, allowing us to explore the heterogeneous meanings, intersections and strategies of analysis that have emerged with reference to postcolonial studies. Attention will be paid to colonial and postcolonial constructs such as: the Oriental, the Global, the Cosmopolitan, and the Third World.

Overall, the module will engage with notions of history, and discourses of modernity and postmodernity.

Method of assessment

• 30% - Book report on a theory of choice in no more than 1000 words
• 30% - Virtual presentation, (of chosen cultural expression and analysis) individual or group (View a video presentation of how you can create a video and get a link for sharing), 10 minutes
• 40% -  Essay, 2000 words
• The exact assessment deadline dates are published on the relevant module Moodle/BLE page

Suggested reading

A full reading list will be provided at the start of the module.

Disclaimer

Important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.