- Colonialism and Decolonization

Institution:

The Evergreen State College

Subject:

Description:

Faculty: Zahid Shariff (political science), Anita Lenges (education), Chico Herbison (African American studies) Major areas of study include economics, education, history and literature. Class Standing: This all-level program offers appropriate support for freshmen as well as supporting and encouraging those ready for advanced work. We will examine the different ways in which the notions of imperialism and colonization can be understood broadly as well as in specific geographic and historical contexts. Focusing on the historical experiences of people of color in Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, we will explore the ways in which imperialism and colonization served as tools for conquest and domination as well as subjugation and exploitation. We will examine the context in which these tools were, and continue to be, employed and the resistance of different kinds with which they have to contend. One context that will be explored throughout the two quarters is the role of schooling in colonialism as well as how some schools work toward decolonization. One purpose of the program is to make distinctions and identify similarities between the imperialist practices of the past and those that are at work now. Exploring the role of image, representation and knowledge¡ªincentives for their production, and the prospects for their distribution¡ªwill be significant elements of the program. Quite often the critique of orientalism will guide us. Another purpose is to explore the resistance offered by the colonized and subjugated people to the colonial and imperial forces. Such resistance has manifested itself in diverse forms and it continues to evolve in creative ways. To accomplish the learning geoals, students will read course materials both to understand the authors' perspectives and relate their own perspectives to the authors'. Students will also work collaboratively, learning to discuss ideas with people who hold different perspectives and life experiences from their own. We expect to accomplish these goals through frequent writing assignments and active student participation in seminar facilitation, introduction of films and documentaries and leadership in organizing discussions. Among the writing assignments will be short weekly papers based on the readings and a longer paper on a relevant topic selected by the students. The readings will include such classical texts as Aimé Césaire' s Discourse on Colonialis m as well as more recent works like Linda Smith' s Decolonizing Methodologies. Total: 16 credits each quarter. Enrollment: 72 Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in education, politics, law and economics. This program is also listed under Programs for Freshmen. A similar program is expected to be offered in 2008-09.

Credits:

16.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.evergreen.edu

Phone Number:

(360) 867-6170

Regional Accreditation:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Calendar System:

Quarter

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