Decoloniality and the Global South

Working against the grain of colonial, Eurocentric and diffusionist narratives of global expansion and of centres and peripheries, this module will explore the nationalising and partitioning work of states, languages, territories, epistemologies and historiographies. In order to do so, it will analyse prominent conceptual paradigms that have defined intellectual discourse and artistic and cultural production in the Global South such as mestizaje/mestiçagem, hybridity, heterogeneity focusing on their evolution and metamorphoses. It will pay special attention to how alterity, gender and coloniality inflect the region's intellectual and artistic production.

The module's non-linear, multi-disciplinary and decolonial mapping of the Global South links the historical and the contemporary, over three continents, multiple linguistic communities, and multiple faith groups: Africa (North and Sub-Saharan), the Americas (North and South) and Western Europe; the varieties of Spanish, Portuguese, and indigenous languages; Christianity, Judaism, Islam and indigenous religions.

By challenging Eurocentric perspectives, this broad-ranging and comparative module aims to trace interconnections between coloniality and the multiple experiences of modernity. It will engage you in discussions on the historical, political, social, and cultural dynamics that shaped narratives on and from the Global South, exploring its epistemologies, practices and aesthetic forms.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• situate and critically analyse the theoretical and critical traditions and cultural practices from the Global South
• demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of these traditions and practices in dialogue and counterpoint with other northern and southern traditions
• critically interrogate the intersections of gender, sexuality and ethnicities
• assess and situate particular social and historical contexts associated to these traditions and practices
• demonstrate the ability to conduct independent, original research and organised inquiry, using academic resources, to produce sustained pieces of work for assessment.

The standard entry requirements comprise:

• A 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent
• A CV and personal statement outlining your reasons for study
• English language band C (for example, IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing, and 6.0 in listening and speaking).

You will be assessed via coursework, in the form of a 4,000-word essay.

This is an on-campus module. You will be expected to attend a 2-hour seminar in-person each week. Exact days and times will be provided upon enrolment.

This module is offered as part of our flexible master’s awards in Professional Development. The awards are one of the most flexible currently offered in the UK, providing the opportunity to study a range of modules from across King’s, both on-campus and online. Whether you are looking for a promotion or to retrain, you have come to the right place.   

Designed for mature professionals juggling life and work commitments, our postgraduate awards will enable you to study at your own pace. In challenging financial times, you are also able to fund your studies module-by-module. We will support you to select the right module diet that meets your objectives while ensuring that you are well prepared for success. We will also help you to build your professional network of peers from across our suite of CPD modules.  

We can’t wait for you to continue your lifelong learning journey here at King’s.