Coloniality, Racism and Inequality (L3118A)

15 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

On this module, you’ll explore how ideas of race and racism emerged, from colonialism to today.

From a de- and postcolonial perspective, you’ll examine the histories, geopolitics and institutions of race and racism. You’ll trace the ideas of Europe’s internal and external Others, and the relevance of scientific racism during the Enlightenment. You'll explore different dynamics of racialisation and the effect on hierarchy during colonialism.

 Topics include:

  • how and why categories such as the ‘Orient’ and the ‘Occident’ were coined
  • how and why humans were classified into ‘different races’
  • how these classifications operate ambiguously – by producing categorisations and sub-categorisations of belonging
  • how the division of labour and property is justified on their basis
  • how current policies draw on and reproduce racism
  • how people have resisted and mobilised against forms of racist domination.

Through case studies, you’ll also examine how this history shapes whose lives matter today, including:

  • current issues, such as the humanitarian crisis at Europe’s borders or the ‘War on Terror’
  • how colonial legacies and ideas of difference shape our understanding and practice of:
    • Higher Education
    • citizenship
    • human rights
    • borders
    • leisure
    • travel
    • home.

Teaching

100%: Practical (Workshop)

Assessment

100%: Written assessment (Essay)

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 20 hours of contact time and about 130 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: