Course Catalogue

Post-colonial and De-colonial International Theory POLITIC4170

  • Academic Session: 2025-26
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course introduces students to the arguments of post-colonial and decolonial International Relations theory, the effect of post-colonial and decolonial movements on international politics and prompts them to reflect on the significance of these perspectives and arguments at the global, local and personal levels. The course first outlines the metatheoretical critiques of (traditional and critical) IR theory forwarded by post-colonial and decolonial theorists. In particular it engages with post-colonial and decolonial critiques of 1) the historical narrative of IR theory, 2) IR's silences (especially on the issues of race and empire) and 3) IR's Eurocentric character. The course then engages with the empirical, analytical and normative arguments made by post-colonial and decolonial theorists. Finally, it examines the significance of the agency of actors in the process of international historical change.

Timetable

Seminar: two hours per week, for 10 weeks

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Entry to Honours Politics requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Politics 2A and Politics 2B as a first attempt.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

A 2500 word essay (50%)

A 2000 word overview of weekly reflection process (50%)

Course Aims

First, the course aims at familiarising students with the arguments of post-colonial and decolonial international theory. Secondly, through the analysis of the theoretical, empirical and normative arguments of scholars and through the examination of the effects of post-colonial and decolonial movements across the globe, the course aims at giving students the necessary tools to evaluate the theoretical merits and practical implications of these perspectives and movements. Finally, the course aims at getting students to reflect on the role of these arguments and perspectives at the personal, local and global levels.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ Outline and evaluate the main theoretical and meta-theoretical arguments of post-colonial and decolonial theory;

■ Apply post-colonial and decolonial analyses to contemporary issues in international politics;

■ Explain and evaluate the contribution of post-colonial and decolonial perspectives and movements to international politics;

■ Critically discuss the role of post-colonial and decolonial perspectives at the personal, local and global levels.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions