What can Postcolonial Studies do?

A highly contemporary and much-debated subject, postcolonial studies has faced similar challenges to gender studies, for example. Critics have faulted the political aspects of the field, deeming them to be more 'ideological' than 'scientific'. In the wake of recent developments, postcolonial studies are arguably more controversial than ever today.

This interdisciplinary lecture will explore the heuristic potential of postcolonial studies. Alongside a host of invited international and national guest speakers, we will examine the critical tools and insights offered by the field in order to understand global histories, power dynamics and cultural exchanges that have been shaped by colonialism and its antecedents and legacies. Through key texts, case studies and contemporary debates, students will examine how postcolonial theory challenges dominant narratives and intersects with fields such as history, literature, political science and area studies.

The course invites reflection on the relevance of postcolonial thought in addressing issues of identity, resistance, globalisation and decolonisation today, both in general and in relation to the participating disciplines: Global History, English, and Ancient, Romance, and Slavic Literary Studies.