Course Syllabus

Postcolonial Europe: Narrative, Nationalism, and Race

Pia Arke, The Tree Graces, 1993

Description of Course

In Europe, the colonial past has often been marginalized in the collective memory, as practices of imperialism and colonialism seldom fit into contemporary national narratives. Using the former Danish West Indies and Greenland as case studies, this course deconstructs colonial narratives in literature, film, art, advertisements, and historical works. Keeping a comparative perspective, we situate our discussions in current European debates about ‘the other.’

Learning Objectives of the Course

• identify colonial structures in today's society
• apply the methodology and theory of postcolonial studies
• identify colonial narratives via analysis of various cultural materials
• understand the interrelation between Europe's colonial past and current immigration issues

Faculty

Birgitte Duelund Pallesen  Cand.mag. (Comparative Literature, University of Copenhagen and UCL London). Fields of interest: Postcolonial Studies, Critical Theory, Medical Humanities and Racism in Healthcare.

Mette Jungersen  Cand. mag. (Russian Language and Literature, University of Copenhagen). Fields of interest: Postcolonial Studies, Cultural Studies, Literature and Language.

Office hours: by appointment

Approach to Teaching

Classes will begin with a lecture introducing the historical and/or theoretical framework of the particular theme studied during that class session. The remaining session will have an interactive and analytical approach. We will analyze movies, television series, literature, art, advertisement, and educational materials as well as historical works.

Expectations of the Students

This course is discussion-based and requires your active participation and engagement. You are expected to come well-prepared and ready to voluntarily contribute orally to each lesson by bringing the concepts discussed in class into play and sharing reflections on readings, how they relate to the real world, and how themes relate to topics you are exposed to through other courses or media sources. This also involves participating in online discussions (posted on the discussion site in Canvas).

Field Studies

We will be going on visits in the field, have guest lecturers in order to investigate key course themes within local community organizations and institutions.

Grading

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work.

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

• Course Enrollment and Grading  
• Academic Expectations and Honor Code 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org