This interdisciplinary lecture explores the critical tools and insights that Postcolonial Studies offer for understanding global histories, power dynamics, and cultural exchanges shaped by colonialism and its legacies. Through key texts, case studies, and contemporary debates, students will examine how postcolonial theory challenges dominant narratives, and how it intersects with fields such as history, literature, political science, and area studies, including fields where this approach might be unexpected.
The course invites reflection on the relevance of postcolonial thought in addressing issues of identity, resistance, globalization, and decolonization today, both on a general level and in respect of the participating disciplines: (Global) History, Political Science and English as well as Ancient, Romanic and Slavic Literary Studies.
During the semester we will engage with a host of topics which our guests will bring to the table. Some of these will require targeted readings. For a general overview, please refer to: Postcolonial Studies and Beyond, Duke University Press, 2005.
In accordance with the Studienordnung.
