International development

Decolonial Movements

Module code: 002ID2
Level 6
30 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Essay, Coursework

Colonial forms of power, knowledge and social ordering exist despite a broader move towards post-colonial societies.

This module examines the historical and geographical context of colonialism and introduces decolonial political projects and intellectual traditions, predominantly from countries in the global South.

The first section of the module will critically analyse key theoretical perspectives from postcolonial theory, subaltern studies and decolonial thinking.

The second section will address the question of how to decolonise knowledge.

Finally, the last section will examine a number of emancipatory political struggles for decolonised futures – including indigenous, feminist, environmental and black movements – from the past and present.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of key theoretical perspectives from postcolonial theory, subaltern studies and decolonial thought.
• Critically reflect on the ideas, theories and assumptions of dominant paradigms of power, knowledge and social ordering.
• Critically analyse the historical and geographical contexts that shape subaltern resistance and decolonial movements.
• Independently identify and explore appropriate empirical evidence and case studies of decolonial movements in the past and present.
• Critically apply knowledge of key theoretical perspectives to analyse, evaluate and assess the implications of different movements and struggles on future decolonial political projects.