Courses>>European Studies 501 European Life and Culture

Europe and Post-colonialism

This course covers the colonial encounters between various European countries (Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the former USSR), and African, Caribbean, and Asian regions or nations. Students explore broad theoretical concepts such as colonialism and racism, decolonization, anti-colonialism, neo-colonialism, postcolonialism, nation and immigration, culture and identity. In the second half of the course, students focus on the history of colonial expansion (in the 19th century for most countries) and the resistance of colonized people to that invasion, including decolonization struggles (in the 20th century for most countries). Lectures also discuss issues of importance to postcolonial nations today, as well as issues of immigration and racism in European countries today.