GEG-30031 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

none

Barred Combinations

none

Description for 2024/25

This module offers a decolonised perspective to counter the dominance of violent, invasive, and colonising knowledges. It aims to provide students with an understanding of the contemporary relevance and immediate applicability of postcolonial concepts, and how they can deploy these to deconstruct the hidden power workings at individual, national, and international levels. Through an understanding of some of the key issues within postcolonial studies, students will be able to build a framework through which they can grasp how the present structures of power (social, political etc) are build upon the past, equipping students with a tool set to decolonise their own curriculums, be adept co-creators, and deconstruct not only institutional structures, but mental ones as well.

The module will provide a conceptual grounding for students within the field of postcolonial studies, and introduce them to the leading postcolonialists and postcolonial theories. South Asia and the English language will be case studied in this module, illustrating the various types and levels of imperial workings and impacts. Decolonisation will be one of the key focal points of the module, which will incorporate decolonisation of the mind, issues of representation, cultural and racial imperialism, colonial roots of disciplines, and decolonisation of the curriculum.

Intended Learning Outcomes

identify and critically evaluate different theories of power structures and postcolonialism, especially in relation to how these theories explain spatial inequalities in cultural, social and political provision; and to appreciate the textual bases on which these differing theories were developed: 1,2
select and interrogate the relevant literature concerning current debates in postcolonial geographies and decolonisation: 1,2
prepare and present in written form a reasoned argument evaluating differing and contested interpretations of knowledge constructions and postcolonialism; and to place these debates in the context of wider, on-going debates and discussions in curriculums: 1,2

Study hours

10 x 1 hour lectures
10 x 1 hour seminars
35 hours lecture preparation
20 hours seminar preparation
40 hours independent study
35 hours assessments preparation

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment