Sensitive Language and Slurs in the Programme

Note on Sensitive Language and Slurs in the Course Material and Classes

• Some of the course material in this master's programme in Colonial and Postcolonial Studies makes reference to discriminatory terminology and racist slurs developed under colonial regimes of power. 

• The authors in question refer to this language in order to expose and critique the violence of racial- and other forms of discrimination, and to highlight the role of language in maintaining racist social structures.

• Because of its history and offensive nature, this terminology needs to be handled very carefully in the classroom and academic context (as elsewhere). The point to remember is that it was made for, and so carries with it, long histories of oppression. This means it has the capacity to cause harm even if it is not used with harmful intentions. 

• Some strategies for dealing with sensitive language/slurs in the source material include redacting (****) the terminology in written text, and not voicing it in a presentation/discussion. It can also be helpful to provide a short explanation (as a note in an essay, or a preamble in a presentation) of how you are dealing with the terminology in your work.