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76492-01 - Lecture: Introduction to Postcolonial Studies (2 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2025 |
| Course frequency | Once only |
| Lecturers | Ana Sobral (ana.sobral@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Reflecting on ‘Afropean’ identity – a mixture of European and African origins – the author Johny Pitts explained in an interview about his highly successful book "Afropean: Travels in Black Europe" (2020): "We are here because you were there." In effect, Western Europe’s colonial expansion, which lasted more than 400 years and transformed the entire planet, has left a deep imprint on worldwide societies, cultures, literatures and mentalities which lasts well into our days. In this lecture, we will look at the main themes and approaches of Postcolonial Studies, a transdisciplinary approach that focuses on the many consequences of colonialism and imperialism on representation, language and cultural creativity. A key aspect that will inform all our discussion is the issue of continuities, showing how exploitative and expropriating actions of Western European colonial powers centuries ago still have consequences on today’s main events, experiences and debates. Our exploration will include literary texts, paintings, music videos, films, series and major activist movements such as Black Lives Matter. |
| Learning objectives | Students will be introduced to key theories, concepts and arguments from postcolonial studies, as well as key literary texts and relevant cultural performances in this field. |
| Bibliography | Theoretical and additional primary texts will be made available on ADAM. |
| Weblink | ADAM |
| Admission requirements | None |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | Online, mandatory |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Thursday | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday 18.09.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 25.09.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 02.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 09.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 16.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 23.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 30.10.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 06.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 13.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 20.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 27.11.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 04.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 11.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Thursday 18.12.2025 | 12.15-14.00 | Nadelberg 6, Grosser Hörsaal |
| Modules |
Modul: Advanced Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Ancient Civilizations) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Nordic Philology (Start of studies before 01.08.2022)) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree program: Ancient Civilizations) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft BA (Bachelor's degree subject: Nordic Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Slavic Studies) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: English) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: French Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Spanish Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Italian Language and Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: German Literature) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Latin Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's degree subject: Nordic Philology) Modul: Interphilologie: Literaturwissenschaft MA (Master's Studies - Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) Modul: Introduction to Anglophone Literary and Cultural Studies (Bachelor's degree subject: English) Modul: Literaturgeschichte (Master's degree program: Literary Studies) Module: Fields: Knowledge Production and Transfer (Master's degree program: African Studies) Module: Fields: Media and Imagination (Master's degree program: African Studies) |
| Assessment format | record of achievement |
| Assessment details | Written exam (90 min) in the last session of the term |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration; dereg.: not required |
| Repeat examination | one repetition, repetition counts |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | no repetition |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, studadmin-philhist@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Fachbereich Englische Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft |