General provisions

The course is included in the Master's Programme in English.

Entry requirements

120 credits. English A1, B1 and C1, or 90 credits in a language subject or in literary studies.

Learning outcomes

Upon completing the course students will be able to

• show understanding of the significance of the term 'decolonisation' and familiarity with relevant scholarship;
• show knowledge of important ideas and concepts in the study of decolonisation as they develop over time;
• demonstrate an ability to reflect critically on theories pertaining to the course and their application in the interpretation of the course literature;
• gather, process and synthesise relevant critical material and scholarship;
• demonstrate proficiency in their use of critical material in writing;
• show a good ability to participate, orally and in writing, in a discussion of literature and scholarship in fluent, accurate, formal English.

Content

This course examines twentieth and twenty-first century literature in English which records and represents distinct periods of decolonisation. Earlier works reflect on decolonisation as the process and work of resistance and transformation at the ends of Empire and the achievement of liberation and independence. Later writing shows how the work of resistance and transformation persists and continues. Students will learn about theories of postcolonialism and decolonisation and about the histories of particular regions, for instance the Caribbean and south Asia, and about instances of indigenous decolonization within settler colonial histories. Students will learn about works of thinkers like Franz Fanon, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Gloria Anzaldúa and Walter Mignolo.

Instruction

Group sessions. Instruction, class discussions, and examinations are in English. All teaching materials are in English.

Assessment

Assessment takes the form of a final exam in the form of an essay at the end of the course. The final essay may be replaced by, or complemented with alternative assessment elements, such as shorter essays assigned during the course, journals, or portfolios. Grades are fail, pass, or pass with distinction.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Students who fail a regular examination will be offered a make-up examination within a reasonable period of time after the regular examination.

Students who fail an examination twice have the right to apply to the head of the department for permission to change examiners.

Other regulations

If the curriculum or the course literature for a course module is changed, students have the right to be examined on the original curriculum and course literature on three occasions during the following three terms. After these three opportunities, the right normally expires. No other limitations apply regarding the number of examination opportunities.

Transitional provisions

Please contact the student counsellor for transitional regulations in connection with changes in the curriculum.