| Unit name | Theorising Violence: Colonialism and Anticolonial Cultural Politics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODLM0074 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Fisk |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important?
The unit examines decolonial cultural politics from different historical periods and global locations, with a focus on the ‘Global South’. The unit examines experiences of colonial and state violence and theoretical critiques of it from a wide range of disciplines, including literary studies, film studies, history, and political theory.
Specifically, it will introduce students to topics including:
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
Students will be encouraged to reflect critically on the range of texts pertaining to the history and theory of violence, while also engaging in cross-cultural comparison and practicing interdisciplinary methodologies. The comparative and interdisciplinary approach of this course will train students in the methodologies most relevant to the MA Comparative Literatures & Cultures and MA Black Humanities in the School of Modern Languages. Course content will be of relevance to students in other MA programmes.
An overview of content
The unit examines theoretical and empirical critiques of violence across several cultural and geographic contexts, and from a wide range of disciplines, including literary studies, history, philosophy, and political theory.
The unit examines colonial and postcolonial violence and the intellectual and cultural autonomies of oppressed peoples in the face of it. Comparing the experience of violence and resistance to it across a wide variety of colonial and postcolonial contexts, this unit explores the limits of colonial and state violence, and demonstrating how cultural production was and is a form of politics and also an archive.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Having taken this unit, students will have developed a broad range of skills. You will have a good command on topics such as slavery, colonialism, and postcolonial contexts, a solid grasp of relevant theories and terminology about a diverse range of places across the early modern and modern world. You will be able to apply your knowledge to current debates about violence, power, and state oppression, as well as the past. The comparative and interdisciplinary approach of this course will train students in the methodologies most relevant to the MA in Comparative Cultures in the School of Modern Languages, but the course content will also be of relevance to students in other MA programmes. You will become more confident, reflective and effective communicators, through participation in seminar discussion, class presentations and written assignments.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures; tutor-led seminars; and self-directed reading and questions to consider out of class. In-class activities will increase your familiarity with the subject-matter, thereby allowing to you grow in confidence and knowledge of the topics. Summative presentations will allow you to develop your collaborative and presentation skills, while seminar discussions will enable you to develop your knowledge and understanding of colonial violence and decolonial resistance.
Tasks students are expected to complete include:
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
A formative presentation of your essay topic in class with verbal feedback from unit director
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MODLM0074).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
