Seminar (372-0-1)

Topic

Postcolonialism & The Decolonial Process

Instructors

Rudolf Fernandes
847/491-7346
640 Lincoln St, Evanston Campus

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-440: Tues 5:00PM - 7:50PM

Overview of class

This course serves as an introduction to the foundational concepts of post-colonialism and decolonization. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will explore and critically analyze these terms by engaging with the seminal works of Edward Said, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, and Homi Bhabha. Particular focus will be placed on the intersections of post-colonialism and decolonization with issues of race, gender, class, feminism, and sexuality.

Key topics will include hegemony, sovereignty, freedom, and the oppression of Indigenous peoples, examined through case studies from African, Caribbean, Asian, and North American contexts. The lingering impacts of colonial rule continue to shape the contemporary world, influencing international cooperation, art practices, and the engagement with cultural, historical, and political institutions.
Students will delve into these complexities through close readings, creative workshops, presentations, guest lectures, and viewings of art and film. The course emphasizes both theoretical and practical applications, enabling students to craft compelling arguments and reflect on how these terms relate to their personal lives and creative practices.
By the end of the course, students will have developed a nuanced understanding of post-colonialism and decolonization and gained the skills to critically engage with these critical frameworks in both academic and real-world contexts.

Class Materials (Required)

No course costs.

Class Attributes

Advanced Expression
Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area
Attendance at 1st class mandatory