Compulsory and elective courses

Stanley Mazur, Slave Handcuffs, c. 1938, watercolor, colored pencil, and graphite on paperboard, Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Objectives

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

• account for and critically discuss the main theoretical trends in the development of postcolonial theory,
• identify differences in the use of concepts in different colonial contexts,
• reflect on central concepts in relation to the research plan for their Master’s degree project,
• apply theoretical concepts in exercises on the basis of contemporary and historical texts.

Content

This course discusses central theories in the humanities and social sciences, focusing especially on critical theoretical debates decisive for the development of postcolonial theory. The students explore historical and contemporary practices in terms of power structures, dominance and submission in modern times. The students are challenged to understand and relate to complex theories and phenomena such as orientalism, eurocentrism, decolonialism, nationalism and diaspora. The course problematises theoretical concepts such as identity, race and gender.