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Topic

Postcolonial Political Theory

Instructors

Torsten Menge

Meeting Info

Northwestern Qatar Room 2-254: Mon, Wed 11:30AM - 12:45PM (AST)

Overview of class

Colonialism and empire have been key elements of political modernity, leaving in their wake a legacy of genocide, racist subordination, capitalist economic extraction and dependency, and ecological destruction. In this course, we explore how this legacy has shaped understandings of politics and forms of political organization and analyze attempts by political actors and theorists to imagine and construct viable political futures in the aftermath of European domination. In particular, we will discuss attempts to rethink central political concepts, such as the nation-state, democracy, citizenship, freedom, self-determination, and economic justice. The goal of this class is to help you understand and participate in debates about the guiding question of political theory: How should we organize the basic social structures that shape how we live our lives and interact with one another?

This is a discussion-based and reading-intensive course, for which students will be asked to read 50-100 pages each week. We will practice reading and critically engaging with analytical and argumentative texts, challenging our own assumptions, analyzing fundamental concepts, and assessing arguments. Our discussions will be guided by a selection of anticolonial writings as well as contemporary readings in political theory and the history of political thought.

Registration Requirements


  • Prerequisites: None

  • Open to juniors and above

  • Open for Cross-Registration

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration is reserved for NU Qatar Juniors and Seniors Only