Postcolonial Discourse of the Global South in International Relations 2100-ERASMUS-PDGS
Full Description
1. Introduction: to provide course overview and foundations.
2. Understanding complex conceptualisation of postcolonial discourse in IR: Introduction to the postcolonial theory of orientalism and transition to postcolonial perspective in IR.
3. Understanding Global South: Historical Context of the Global South, colonial histories and their legacies and the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
4. Decolonisation, freedom struggles and independence movements: the discussion of decolonising the mind, case studies of decolonisation and selected speeches from leaders.
5. Theoretical debates between the postcolonialism and IR theory: It aims to identify and discuss key issues, actors and dynamics of the postcolonial literature and IR theories.
6. Identity, power, and representation: To discuss the construction of identities in postcolonial contexts. Global South’s representation and power dynamics in global politics.
7. Grievances as a factor in Global South: Political grievances, economic grievances and nationalist (populism) grievances.
8. North-South divide: industries and infrastructures, AI and technology, development and underdevelopment.
9. Globalisation and Global South: Economic and political challenges, the impact of globalisation.
10. In-depth analysis of postcolonial issues: Case studies of specific countries or regions e.g., Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
11. Emerging powers of Global South and IR: Roles in LIO, issues of UNSC and perspectives on emerging conflicts and challenges.
12. Decolonising IR: a critique of traditional IR theories and contributions from the Global South scholars
Course coordinators
Type of course
elective monographs
elective seminars
elective courses
optional courses
Mode
Learning outcomes
Learning Outcome
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
a) To understand key concepts of postcolonial discourse and its relevance in IR
b) To develop a critical evaluation of historical contexts and legacies of colonialism in the Global South.
c) To engage with 21st-century issues and challenges facing the Global South and explore future directions for postcolonial studies in IR.
Assessment criteria
Assessment Methods and Criteria: Class Participation: 20%
Attendance: 10 %
Final Exam: 70%
Bibliography
Bibliography
1. Gandhi, L. (2018). Postcolonial theory: A critical introduction. Columbia University Press.
2. Childs, P., & Williams, P. (2014). An introduction to post-colonial theory. Routledge.
3. Said, E. W. (2023). Orientalism. In Social theory re-wired (pp. 362-374). Routledge.
4. Spivak, G. C. (2023). Can the subaltern speak? In Imperialism (pp. 171-219). Routledge.
5. Grovogu, S. (2011). A Revolution Nonetheless: The Global South in International Relations. The Global South, 5(1), 175–190. https://doi.org/10.2979/globalsouth.5.1.175.
6. Ngugi wa Thiong’o. (1998). Decolonising the Mind. Diogenes, 46(184), 101-104. https://doi.org/10.1177/039219219804618409.
7. Tan, Lena (2017). Postcolonialism and International Relations. OBO in Political Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/obo/9780199756223-0214.
8. Dornelles, F. K. (2002). Postmodernism and IR: From Disparate Critiques to a Coherent Theory of Global Politics. Global Politics Network, 19.
9. Visoka, G. (2019). Critique and alternativity in international relations. International Studies Review, 21(4), 678-704. https://doi.org/10.1093/isr/viy065.
10. Acharya, A. (2016). Advancing global IR: Challenges, contentions, and contributions. International Studies Review, 18(1), 4-15. https://doi.org/10.1093/isr/viv016.
11. Smith, K., & Tickner, A. B. (2020). Introduction: international relations from the global south. In International Relations from the Global South (pp. 1-14). Routledge.
12. Caballero-Mengíbar, A. (2015). Critical discourse analysis in the study of representation, identity politics and power relations: a multi-method approach. Communication & Society, 28(2), 39-54.
13. Watson, J. K., Wilder, G., Abbas, S., Alessandrini, A. C., Chari, S., & Forment, C. A. (2018). The Postcolonial Contemporary. New York: Fordham University Press.
14. Buzan, B. (2009). Non-Western international relations theory (pp. 11-35). A. Acharya (Ed.). Taylor & Francis.
15. Darby, P., & Paolini, A. J. (1994). Bridging international relations and postcolonialism. Alternatives, 19(3), 371-397.
16. Epstein, C. (2014). The postcolonial perspective: an introduction. International Theory, 6(2), 294-311.
17. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, S. J. (2013). Why decoloniality in the 21st century? The Thinker, 48(10), 10-15.
18. Bharti, S. S. (2025). ‘Grievances’ as the Driving Factor in the Global South Emerging Powers’ Approach to the War in Ukraine. Millennial Asia, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/09763996251350531.