Prospectus

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Intro to Anti-Colonial Thought and Governance

Course
2025-2026

Admission requirements

Honours FGGA students

Description

Throughout this course, we explore foundational anti–colonial theoretical texts and their practical applications for governance and global affairs. In each lecture, students will be introduced to the key theories under each theme of anti-colonial studies. Afterwards, we will investigate the applicability of these conceptions to modern (settler) colonialism, oppression, imperialism, and more. The goal of this class is two fold: First, understanding the colonial and imperial roots of global and regional governance systems. Second, theorising potential future forms of democratic governance that resist the influences of a largely colonial-imperial global order.

Course objectives

  • Provide students with an introduction into anti-colonial concepts and thinkers.

  • Contextualise the emergence of anti-colonial theory within the histories of colonialism, modernity, and resistance, and reflect on how these dynamics continue to shape contemporary global governance and knowledge production.

  • Incentivize critical engagement with concepts such as hegemony, identity, and power.

  • Equip students with the analytical tools to recognise and critique ongoing or remnant forms of colonial exploitation and governance in both local and global contexts.

  • Foster a space for the students to critically reflect on their own context and positionality.

Timetable

Wednesdays from 6.30-8.30: February 4, 11, 18 and 25. March 4, 18.
Wednesday from 6.30-9.30 on March 25.

On the right side of programme front page of the studyguide you will find links to the website and timetables, MyStudymap, uSis and Brightspace.

Mode of instruction

56 hours, of which 15 hours of lectures and 41 hours preparation for the lectures, presentations and assignment.

Assessment method

Pass/fail based on: ● Presentation (40%) ● Reflection Paper (60%)

Reading list

Literature will be announced on Brightspace

Registration

Registration will be done by Honours coordinator.

Please note: USIS and Brightspace registration will be done centrally.

Contact

Teacher: Prof dr. M. Longo
Workgroup teachers: Kareem Alsawalha and Siddhant Tripathi

Honours Coordinator: Annette Righolt; a.j.e.righolt@fgga.leidenuniv.nl

Remarks