ATS2556 · Power struggles: anti-colonialism and anti-racism in history

Overview

The struggle of colonised peoples to attain independence from foreign domination is one of the defining features of contemporary world history. In this unit, you will explore modern anti-colonial movements in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and other locations, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between racism and colonialism. You will investigate the ongoing push for decolonisation in the contemporary world, including the enduring legacies of colonialism in settler colonial contexts such as Australia and the United States. Your investigation will centre on a selection of historical case studies of anticolonial resistance and decolonisation from the eighteenth century to the present, with an emphasis on the self-determination of indigenous and other marginalised groups. You will discover how decolonisation interacts with other themes such as gender and violence, and explore and debate the evolving meaning of decolonisation, including consideration of the ‘silences’ of the archive in historical research, and the legacies of colonialism in education and the university.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. explain the major types and theories of colonialism (settler colonialism, plantation colonialism, etc.) and theories and interpretations of decolonisation, and explain the development, strategies and trajectories of important anti-racist and anti-colonial movements in world history;
2. explain the ongoing legacies of colonialism, including contemporary decolonisation movements, and the significance of decolonisation in world history;
3. independently research and critically analyse a variety of historical texts (including contemporary documents, polemical literature and historical scholarship);
4. work collaboratively with peers;
5. communicate ideas orally and in writing.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.