Postcolonial perspectives in African Studies 3600-7-AFS4-PPAS(Z)

The colonial period in African history had an immense impact on the continent. Nowadays, the decolonization of African studies is one of the leading directions in research on Africa's cultures and history. European intellectual hegemony over Africa’s political, economic, historical, and cultural ways has been strictly related to colonial oppression. It now provokes researchers in African studies to confront Western-constructed visions of Africa with attempts of African intellectuals, researchers, and politicians to decolonise African studies and especially African history. The course aims to present different perspectives of postcolonial research on contemporary African studies.

Course coordinators

Izabela Romańczuk

Type of course

obligatory courses

Mode

General:

Remote learning
Classroom

Term 2026Z:

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

The course is interdisciplinary and open to students from different fields of study. Its aim is to introduce students to key postcolonial perspectives in African Studies, with particular attention to the relationship between colonialism, knowledge, culture, literature, language, identity, and power. The course examines how the legacy of colonialism has shaped representations of Africa and the production of knowledge about the continent. No prior knowledge of African Studies or postcolonial theory is required. Students will be introduced to selected concepts and contexts and will use them to analyse texts, discourses, and cultural phenomena. The course encourages active participation and develops students’ skills in critical analysis, interpretation, and academic discussion.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge: the graduate knows and understands
* to an in-depth degree selected problems and foundations of the trends in postcolonial perspectives in research on contemporary Africa including terminology

* to an in-depth degree selected problems of cultures and societies in a selected region of Africa (in the field of ideology, culture and religion)

Skills: the graduate is able to
* analyze and evaluate the importance of postcolonial perspectives in contemporary cultural studies and history with impact on Africa
* apply detailed knowledge about the state of postcolonial research in the field of African studies and to seek solutions to specific research problems
* apply methods of analysis, interpretation and evaluation within spectrum of postcolonial studies concentrated on Africa

Social competencies: the graduate is ready to
* critically evaluate the content resulting from cultural and linguistic diversity and its influence on the shaping of social and political attitudes and economic processes
* initiate activities for the public interest and to think and act in an entrepreneurial way using knowledge in the field of cultural diversity

Assessment criteria

Requirements for credit:
-attendance control (A student can be absent a maximum of twice during the semester. In the case of absence due to illness, the medical certificate excusing this absence should be submitted within seven days of the last day of the leave specified in the certificate.)
-continuous assessment
-semester paper.

The use of generative artificial intelligence tools is strictly prohibited in the
preparation of any written coursework, including essays, presentations, and papers.

With the prior consent of the lecturer, students may use AI tools to proofread their
own text or to translate a text that is consulted or cited in the work (but not text that constitutes the core subject of the work or whose translation is part of the
assignment's objectives). The lecturer may require the student to present the original text and its interpretation (either orally during class or during an individual seminar).
Students are held responsible for any errors (both linguistic and factual, especially
so-called AI hallucinations) resulting from the use of AI tools, as well as for any
violations of ethical principles (copyright infringement, perpetuating harmful
stereotypes, using discriminatory language, etc.). Students cannot excuse such
errors by citing the imperfections of the tools used.

The process of gathering literature must be the result of the students' own intellectual activity and based on independent research (in libraries, archives, or digital repositories). The use of artificial intelligence algorithms is permitted solely for technical purposes, i.e., for organizing and formatting footnotes and compiling the bibliography in accordance with the adopted citation style. Full responsibility for the final outcome of any work that utilizes artificial intelligence tools rests with the students. The use of AI tools does not exempt students from liability for factual errors and does not constitute grounds for more lenient grading.

The work of course participants must be the product of their own intellectual activity, based on the analysis of sources and literature retrieved from libraries, archives, and digital databases.

Students bear full responsibility for the content of their work. Including fabricated
facts or false bibliographic citations will result in an automatic failure of the course (a failing grade) and disciplinary action, regardless of the text preparation method declared by the student.

The lecturer reserves the right to conduct an additional oral verification in the event of justified doubts regarding the authenticity and independence of the submitted work.

Coursework, regardless of its format (essay, presentation, paper, etc.), must be
completed by students independently. The lecturer has the right to additionally verify the independent preparation of the work by testing the student's understanding of the chosen methodology, approach to sources, knowledge of the subject literature, etc. The scope and method of this verification are at the lecturer's discretion (e.g., an additional interview with the author, a knowledge test, a requirement to add commentary to the essay, etc.). If a piece of work is determined not to be the student's independent creation, it will result in a failing grade and may serve as grounds for initiating disciplinary proceedings.

Practical placement

None.