Colonialism and Post-Colonialism

Recommended Prerequisites

Oral and Written abilities in Portuguese.

Teaching Methods

The class is theoretical and practical in nature.  For this purpose, the most appropriate teaching methodologies and processes of interactive and innovative teaching will be adopted.  Students will be systematically encouraged to attend class which is consistent and relevant for students in the construction of class sessions through oral participation, critical reviews, reading notes and preparing a final written report.  Os estudantes serão assim elementos ativos na produção de uma parte substancial do seu próprio saber.

Learning Outcomes

- Place contemporary colonialism in the context of its period and analyze the factors, expressions and consequences.

- Understand the circumstances under which the decolonization process ocurred and its effects.

- Analyze the situation of formerly colonized territories after attaining political independence.

- Deepen and update the information obtained by students during the 1st cycle of studies.

- Provide tools and methodologies for conducting research at the university level.

Students will be able to understand some of the major issues of the day, both from the view of the former colonizers as well as the colonized, such as high level of unequal development, the situation of economic underdevelopment and the widespread and chronic social ills (poverty, corruption, influence peddling).  Students will also be able to recognize the profound differences between political systems, economic systems, cultures and civilizations.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Concepts: colonization, colonialism, imperialism, decolonization, neo-colonialism and post-colonialism.

Theories: Conservative (Disraeli, Rhodes, Kipling), evolutionary, liberal (Hobson), Marxist (Lenin, R. Luxemburg), sociopsychological (Schumpeter). 

Strategies of colonialism in the contemporary era: the different experiences of colonization (British, French, German, Portuguese, American and Japanese) and their respective historical frameworks. 

Political and ideological reasons. 

The functioning of the colonial system: organization and political structures, economic systems, players ("indigenous" Europeans and others), "iconic figures", social, cultural contacts.

Genesis and affirmation of nationalism.

The decolonization process: phases, circumstances and results.

Post-colonialism: the precursors of theorizing (Frantz Fanon, Edward Said, Aimé Césaire); myths and realities.

Head Lecturer(s)

Fernando Manuel Tavares Martins Pimenta

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 30.0%
Research work: 70.0%

Bibliography

ASHCROFT, Bill, Post-colonial studies. The key concepts, Londres, 2005.

BETHENCOURT, Francisco e CHAUDHURI, Kirti, História da Expansão Portuguesa, vol. IV e V, Lisboa, 1998.

CHABAL, Patrick e outros, A History of Postcolonial Lusophone Africa, Londres, 2002.

ETHERINGTON, Norman, Theories of imperialism. War, conquest and capital, Londres/Totowa, 1984.

FERGUSON, Niall, Império. Como a Grã-Bretanha construiu o Mundo Moderno, Porto, 2013.

FERRO, Marc, História das colonizações. Das conquistas às independências. Sécs. XIII-XX, Lisboa, 1996.

FRÉMEAUX, Jacques, Les empires coloniaux. Une histoire-monde, Paris, 2012.

JERÓNIMO, Miguel Bandeira (Organização), O Império Colonial em Questão (Sécs. XIX-XX): Poderes, Saberes e Instituições, Lisboa, 2012.

MACQUEEN, Norrie, A Descolonização da África Portuguesa. A revolução metropolitana e a dissolução do Império, Mem Martins, 1998.

PORTER, Andrew, O Imperialismo Europeu (1860-1914), Lisboa, 2011.