230420 Beginning Postcolonial Studies - in Bielefeld (S) (WiSe 2025/2026)

This reading-intensive course is designed as a critical introduction to the burgeoning field of postcolonial studies. Drawing on a range of theoretical texts, our aim will be to develop a working definition of 'postcolonialism'. Rather than subscribing to the simplistic idea of 'after colonialism', we will read postcolonial societies and cultures as still being subject in one way or another to overt and/or covert forms of colonial domination, oppression and exploitation. In effect, we will discuss postcolonialism as a continuing process of revision and resistance. While focussing on British colonialism, not least because the British Empire was the largest ever, we will also explore post/colonial traces and legacies in Bielefeld.

Requirements for participation, required level

Students should be well-acquainted with the basics of literary studies; they should be able to analyse and interpret Anglophone literary texts by drawing on the genre-specific analytical categories. This knowledge and expertise is usually acquired through the successful completion of Basic Module 2.
Students enrolled in FsB 2022: successful completion of Basic Module 1 (LPT)

Bibliography

Recommended Reading:
Gandhi, Leela. Postcolonial Theory.
McLeod, John. Beginning Postcolonialism.
Check 'Lernraum' for further information on the (theoretical) reading material.