Admission requirements
Admission to one of the following programmes is required:
MA Philosophy 60 EC: specialisation Modern European Philosophy
MA Philosophy 60 EC: specialisation Global and Comparative Philosophy
MA Philosophy 120 EC: specialisation Philosophy of Humanities
MA Philosophy 120 EC: specialisation Philosophy in World Traditions
Description
In this intensely interdisciplinary course, we will explore core texts and conceptual tools in colonial/postcolonial/decolonial studies. We will adopt a creative engagement that includes both texts (and articles), novels, short stories and movies as will be adapted as course material. The course will be divided into two parts.
In the first part we will historicize colonialist discourses considering some of the key philosophical texts, intellectual traditions and scholars that have become implicated in the legitimation of colonial enterprise. Beyond the philosophical are also legal documents that ushered forms of legitimation for colonialism and the logic of coloniality. What became known as “Paper conquests” are derivative of these legal procedures pressured through treaties.
This section will ultimately explore the material depositories of colonialism where it concerns colonization of the mind, domination of the physical space, and political economy. In the latter instance, we will examine for example the epistemic paradox in which colonialism is configured as a defense of capitalism and end of colonialism constituting also a strategic retreat in defense of capitalism.
The course equally serves as a critical introduction to postcolonial studies in general since such intervening themes like decolonization and other decolonial theories will be thematically discussed within the context of the overall postcolonial intellectual traditions.
We will examine different decolonial traditions, paying critical attention to their ontic commitment to decolonization. What is the logic of coloniality? How did colonial power foster racial discrimination with residual impact in the post-colony? Do decolonial discourses perpetuate or alleviate gendered discrimination? Is our discourse merely a displacement narrative that imposes misrecognition on the structural diffusion of colonialism?
In addition to these questions, we will focus on how knowledge production (such as the one we produce locally in universities) impact, influence social change not only where we live but beyond the borders and inform the historical tissues of our present circumstances. We will negotiate how these discourses continue to shape identity discourses (including globalized Identity experience), emergent trends in globalization of knowledge and modernity. We will study, appraise and critique different decolonization efforts.
Course objectives
Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:
how the sociology of knowledge informing colonial/post-colonial discourses are interpreted, received and continue to shape everyday lives – politics, economics, pop-culture, religion et cetera;
basic concepts and interrelated themes associated in post-colonial studies;
how epistemologies are shaped by culture and reproduced as globalized or coherent universal truth;
the relationship between culture, imperialism and coloniality;
how knowledge production nurtures politics, culture and social change;
basic terms and concepts of decolonization and decolonial theories;
the relationship between the knowledge we produce in the West and how this shape and continue to impact contemporary politics, culture, state formation and social change outside the European experience.
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
negotiate and critically apply basic theories of decolonization;
learn the ability to critically understand thematic approaches in intellectual history of colonialism and decolonization;
learn, improve, and develop critical writing and presentation skills in good academic English;
acquire the ability to write and deliver conference papers through learned practice in class.
Timetable
The timetables are available through MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
- Seminars
Class attendance is required.
Assessment method
Assessment
Two essays (each 25%)
Presentation (25%)
Attendance and participation (25%)
Weighting
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average of several subtests (see above).
Resit
The resit offers an opportunity to rewrite one or two papers. A failed presentation can also be substituted with an essay writing. The grade for participation remains in place.
Attendance and active participation in class is required for admission to the resit.
Students who have obtained a satisfactory overall grade for the first examination cannot take the resit.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
Essential readings will be provided through Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga
Remarks
Not applicable.