Course Catalogue

Decolonising Geography: Spaces of Colonialism and Anti-Colonialism GEOG4129

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2 (Alternate Years)
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

The course will introduce students to key debates and material relating to the geographies of colonialism and anti-colonialism. It will explore the different ways that geographies emergence as a modern discipline was underpinned by links with colonialism which have continued to structure the discipline in various ways. The course engages with these issues in relation to a number of themes including pedagogy, the physical environment, gender and sexuality and field work.

Timetable

There will be five two-hour teaching sessions. These will be run as follows- the first hour will be a lecture- and the second hour will be delivered as seminar style teaching based around different activities.

Requirements of Entry

Normally, fulfilment of entry requirements to Level 3 Geography

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

First assessment - 40% a portfolio of outputs related to the course themes.

 

Second assessment- 60%. Seen exam. Word length 1,500 words. 

Course Aims

The aims of the course are as follows.

■ to critically engage with the relations between geography and colonialism.

■ to explore the relations between geographers and anti-colonial movements and ideas

■ to engage with the ongoing legacies of colonialism in contemporary geography.

■ to understandd the relations between physical environments and the uneven power relations shaped by colonialism.

■ to engage with intersectional perspectives on the spaces of colonialism and anti-colonialism.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ to critically evaluate the relations between geography, colonialism and anti-colonialism

■ to communicate ideas around decolonial ideas to a broad audience.

■ to engage with intersectional perspectives on the spaces of colonialism and anti-colonialism. 

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions