Post-Colonial Political Thought Masterclass Training Course

Post-Colonial Political Thought Masterclass Training Course

Introduction

This masterclass offers a transformative exploration of Post-Colonial Political Thought, equipping participants with the critical tools to analyze the enduring legacies of colonialism, imperialism, and neocolonialism. We delve into the complex theoretical frameworks that have emerged from the global South, challenging dominant Eurocentric narratives and revealing the subaltern voices often excluded from mainstream political discourse. Participants will engage with contemporary political, economic, and social issues, from globalization and transnationalism to identity politics and cultural hybridity, all through a post-colonial lens. This training is a crucial step for anyone seeking to decolonize knowledge, understand global power dynamics, and foster a more just and equitable world.

Post-Colonial Political Thought Masterclass Training Course goes beyond a purely academic approach, providing a practical and applied understanding of decolonization and its impact on modern governance, international relations, and development goes beyond a purely academic approach, providing a practical and applied understanding of decolonization and its impact on modern governance, international relations, and development. We'll examine how historical power structures continue to shape socio-economic inequalities, political instability, and cultural representation in the 21st century. By analyzing the work of foundational thinkers and contemporary scholars, participants will gain a nuanced perspective on the anti-colonial struggle, national liberation movements, and the ongoing challenge of achieving self-determination in a globalized era.

Course Duration 

5 days

Course Objectives 

1. Analyze the historical and theoretical foundations of post-colonial political thought.
2. Deconstruct Eurocentric narratives and challenge dominant knowledge systems.
3. Investigate the concepts of subalternity, hybridity, and diaspora in global contexts.
4. Examine the intersections of race, gender, and class in colonial and post-colonial societies.
5. Evaluate the political economy of colonialism and its ongoing impact on global development.
6. Assess the role of cultural resistance and anti-colonial movements in shaping political identity.
7. Explore the relationship between neocolonialism and globalization in the modern world.
8. Critique the concept of the nation-state from a post-colonial perspective.
9. Differentiate between decolonization, decoloniality, and post-coloniality.
10. Apply post-colonial frameworks to contemporary issues like migration, climate justice, and sovereignty.
11. Analyze the politics of identity and representation in media and culture.
12. Formulate strategies for decolonizing institutions and academic curricula.
13. Engage in critical dialogue about the future of global governance and transnational justice.

Target Audience 

• Political Scientists & International Relations Scholars: Deepen your understanding of global power dynamics.
• Students & Researchers: Enhance your academic toolkit for theses and research on global issues.
• NGO & Development Professionals: Critically examine aid, development, and humanitarian interventions.
• Public Policy Analysts: Inform policy-making with an awareness of colonial legacies.
• Journalists & Media Professionals: Improve reporting on global events, conflicts, and cultural issues.
• Educators & Academics: Develop inclusive curricula and decolonize your teaching practice.
• Social Justice Advocates: Strengthen your understanding of systemic inequalities and historical context.
• General Public: Anyone with a keen interest in understanding the world's complex political landscape.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Colonial Encounter & Its Legacy

• Theories of Imperialism: Analysis of the economic and political motivations behind colonial expansion.
• Fanon and the Psychology of Colonization: Examination of the psychological impact of colonialism and the struggle for recognition.
• The Civilizing Mission: Deconstruction of the cultural and racial justifications for empire.
• The Scramble for Africa: A case study of partition, state formation, and ethnic rivalries.
• Case Study: The Congo Free State – Explore the brutal rubber trade and its lasting socio-economic and political consequences.

Module 2: The Politics of Identity & Difference

• Orientalism as a Discourse: The invention of "the Orient" and its role in justifying Western dominance.
• Subaltern Voices and Silenced Histories: Recovering the narratives of marginalized groups.
• Hybridity and Mimicry: How colonized subjects adopt and subvert colonial culture.
• Race and Racialization: The construction of race as a tool of colonial control and its persistence.
• Case Study: India’s Partition – Analyze how colonial-era policies of "divide and rule" exacerbated religious and ethnic tensions.

Module 3: Anti-Colonial Resistance & Liberation

• Theories of Resistance: Forms of passive and active resistance against colonial rule.
• The Rise of Nationalism: The role of nationalist movements in achieving political independence.
• The Non-Aligned Movement: A case study in post-colonial statecraft and seeking an alternative to Cold War blocs.
• From Colonial to Neocolonial Power: How former colonial powers maintained influence through economic and political means.
• Case Study: The Algerian War of Independence – A deep dive into the guerrilla warfare and ideological struggle, as famously analyzed by Franz Fanon.

Module 4: Post-Colonial Political Economy

• Dependency Theory: The argument that global capitalism perpetuates underdevelopment in former colonies.
• Structural Adjustment Programs: The role of international financial institutions in perpetuating neocolonial economic relations.
• Extractivism & Resource Curses: How the legacy of colonial resource extraction continues to hinder development.
• Globalization & Uneven Development: Analysis of how free-market policies can widen global inequality.
• Case Study: The Banana Wars – Examine how Western corporations and governments have historically intervened to control resource-rich former colonies.

Module 5: Decolonizing Knowledge & Institutions

• Critique of the Academic Canon: The need to move beyond a Eurocentric curriculum in academia.
• Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Recognizing and integrating non-Western ways of knowing.
• The Politics of Language: The legacy of colonial languages and the struggle for linguistic sovereignty.
• Museums and Heritage: Debates over the repatriation of artifacts and the decolonization of cultural institutions.
• Case Study: The British Museum’s Benin Bronzes – Explore the global debate over the ownership and return of plundered cultural heritage.

Module 6: Contemporary Post-Colonial Issues

• Migration and Diaspora: The movement of people across borders and the formation of transnational identities.
• The Politics of Borders: The colonial origins of contemporary borders and their role in migration crises.
• Racial and Social Justice Movements: Connecting contemporary movements like Black Lives Matter to a history of colonial and post-colonial oppression.
• Climate Justice & Environmentalism: How colonial legacies contribute to climate change and disproportionately affect the global South.
• Case Study: The Rohingya Crisis – Analyze how historical and colonial-era racial divisions and statelessness contribute to a modern-day humanitarian crisis.

Module 7: Gender & Post-Colonial Feminism

• "Double Colonization": How women were oppressed by both colonial and patriarchal indigenous systems.
• The Role of Women in Anti-Colonial Movements: Examining the crucial but often overlooked contributions of women.
• Critique of Western Feminism: How mainstream feminism can be Eurocentric and fail to address the specific issues facing women in the global South.
• Gender and Development: Critiquing top-down development models and advocating for local, feminist-led initiatives.
• Case Study: The Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya – Highlight the role of women as fighters, organizers, and intelligence agents in the anti-colonial struggle.

Module 8: The Future of Post-Colonialism

• Decoloniality as a Political Project: Moving beyond decolonization to dismantle structures of power.
• Southern Epistemologies and Global South Theory: The rise of intellectual thought from Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
• Beyond the Nation-State: Exploring alternative models of political organization.
• Post-Colonialism and Activism: The practical application of post-colonial thought in contemporary social movements.
• Case Study: The Zapatista Movement in Mexico – Analyze a modern indigenous-led movement that critiques globalization and seeks to reclaim land and self-determination.

Training Methodology

• Interactive Lectures: Facilitated discussions, not just one-way information delivery.
• Case Study Analysis: In-depth examination of historical and contemporary movements to extract lessons.
• Group Exercises & Simulations: Participants work in teams to apply course concepts to real-world scenarios.
• Guest Speakers: Activists and leaders share their experiences and insights.
• Action Planning: Participants develop a personal or organizational action plan for a specific cause.

Q&A and Feedback Sessions: Open forums for discussion and peer learning

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.