Course Catalogue

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This course introduces students to the arguments of post-colonial and decolonial International Relations theory, the effect of post-colonial and decolonial movements on international politics and prompts them to reflect on the significance of these perspectives and arguments at the global, local and personal levels. The course first outlines the metatheoretical critiques of (traditional and critical) IR theory forwarded by post-colonial and decolonial theorists. In particular it engages with post-colonial and decolonial critiques of 1) the historical narrative of IR theory, 2) IR's silences (especially on the issues of race and empire) and 3) IR's Eurocentric character. The course then engages with the empirical, analytical and normative arguments made by post-colonial and decolonial theorists. Finally, it examines the significance of the agency of actors in the process of international historical change.

Seminar: two hours per week, for 10 weeks

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Entry to Honours Politics requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Politics 2A and Politics 2B as a first attempt.

None

None

A 1,500 word summary of weekly reflective log (25%)

A 1,000 word critical analysis of a journal article (25%)

An essay of 2,500 words evaluating the post-colonial critique of an issue from the list (50%)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below.

First, the course aims at familiarising students with the arguments of post-colonial and decolonial international theory. Secondly, through the analysis of the theoretical, empirical and normative arguments of scholars and through the examination of the effects of post-colonial and decolonial movements across the globe, the course aims at giving students the necessary tools to evaluate the theoretical merits and practical implications of these perspectives and movements. Finally, the course aims at getting students to reflect on the role of these arguments and perspectives at the personal, local and global levels.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Outline and evaluate the main theoretical and meta-theoretical arguments of post-colonial and decolonial theory;

■ Apply post-colonial and decolonial analyses to contemporary issues in international politics;

■ Explain and evaluate the contribution of post-colonial and decolonial perspectives and movements to international politics;

■ Critically discuss the role of post-colonial and decolonial perspectives at the personal, local and global levels.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.