School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
GEG-30015 Postcolonialism in South Asia  
Co-ordinator: Dr Lisa Lau    Room: WSF22, Tel:33613  
Teaching Team:  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Geography Dual Honours (Level 3)
Geography Major (Level 3)
Geography Minor (Level 3)
Geography Single Honours (Level 3)
Human Geography Dual Honours (Level 3)
Human Geography Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this module
Barred Combinations
Not applicable.
Description

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the present-day relevance of postcolonial concepts and workings in Human Geography. It seeks to introduce students to some of the key issues within postcolonial studies and provide them with an assessment of those issues in a geographical context. It will enable students to generate a geographical framework through which they can deconstruct the power structures of the past and present, deconstructing not only institutional structures, but mental ones as well, and to understand their spatial implications and expressions for landscapes and societies. South Asia will be used as the case study for the module, providing illustrations of the various types and levels of colonial workings, impacts, and geographical outcomes.
Aims
To provide students with an understanding of the present-day relevance of postcolonial concepts and workings in Human Geography. It seeks to introduce students to some of the key issues within postcolonial studies, and provide them with an assessment of those issues in a geographical context. It will enable students to generate a geographical framework through which they can deconstruct the power structures of the past and present, deconstructing not only institutional structures, but mental ones as well, and to understand their spatial implications and expressions for landscapes and socieites. South Asia will be used as the case study for the module, providing illustrations of the various types and levels of colonial workings, impacts, and geographical outcomes.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Systematic understanding, based on detailed knowledge of South Asian case studies, of structures of power, of the workings of imperialisms, both in the past and present, and of their geographical expressions in terms of landscapes, cultures and societies. 1,2

Ability to identify and critically evaluate different theories of power structures and postcolonialism, especially in relation to how these theories explain spatial inequalities in cultural, social and political provision; and to appreciate the textual bases on which these differing theories were developed. 1,2

Ability to select and interrogate the relevant literature concerning current debates in postcolonial geographies; to prepare and present in written form a reasoned argument evaluating methodologies and differing and contested interpretations of geographies of postcolonialism; and to place there debates in postcolonialism in the context of wider and ongoing debates in Human Geography and the social sciences. 1,2
Study hours
10 x 1 hour lectures;
10 x 1 hour seminars;
35 hours essay preparation
20 hours seminar preparation
40 hours independent study
35 hours exam preparation
Description of Module Assessment
001: Essay weighted 50%
2000 word essay
002: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 50%
2 hour unseen exam, 2 questions from 6
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Oct/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.