There is a lot of talk about ‘decolonising the university’ at the moment. One part of this is thinking about the ways in which we teach, how we design our modules and courses, and who is on our reading lists. Below you will find a range of examples of module outlines and reading lists that have been shared by generous scholars from a range of countries and disciplines. Please use these reading lists to guide your own reading, or for inspiration in your own module/programme design. The reading lists are organised by discipline but there are clearly many overlaps so we would encourage you to explore beyond your discipline!
If you are interested in sharing your own reading lists and other teaching resources please do get in touch! Email l.mayblin@sheffield.ac.uk
Translation tip: Many of the examples below come from the UK. In the UK a ‘programme’ or ‘course’ is the entirety of the degree that students are studying. A ‘module’ is one unit within that. In many other countries a ‘course’ is the equivalent of a British ‘module’.
Research Methods and Ethics
Refocusing research ethics through a postcolonial and feminist lens, reading list compiled by PhD students and staff from the Faculty of Social Science at University of Sheffield (UK). Read it here
Sociology
Comparative Sociology, a module designed by co-ordinated by Silke Roth and delivered by Silke, Nana Zhang, and Charlie Walker at Southampton University (UK) to 3rd Year undergraduate students. Access it here
Race and the Making of the Modern World, a module designed by Gurminder K Bhambra and delivered at Warwick University (UK) to 3rd Year undergraduate students (2015-17). Access it here
Race, Resistance, and Modernity, a module designed by Gurminder K Bhambra and John Narayan delivered at Warwick University (UK) to 3rd Year undergraduate students (2015-16). Access it here
Classical Sociological Theory, this is a reading list compiled by students at Cambridge University (UK) upon graduating in 2018 as they felt that the curriculum needed decolonising. This reading list has been designed with decolonising a first year ‘classical sociological theory’ (usually Marx, Weber, Durkheim) in mind. Access it here
Modernity, a reading list compiled by Agata Lisiak for teaching a postgraduate course engaging with Marshall Berman’s All That Is Solid Melts Into Air at Bard College Berlin. Access it here
Anthropology
Introductory Social Anthropology, this is a reading list compiled by students at Cambridge University (UK) upon graduating in 2018 as they felt that the curriculum needed decolonising. This reading list has been designed with decolonising a first year ‘introductory social anthropology’ module in mind. Access it here
History
Directed Readings in Postcolonial Theory and Action, a module designed by Ajay Parasram and delivered to MA students at Dalhousie University (Canada). Access it here
Politics and International Relations
Feminisms and IR, a module designed by Jutta Weldes and delivered to MSc Gender and International Relations students at the University of Bristol (UK). Access it here
Postcolonial Political Economy, a module deigned by Robbie Shilliam and delivered to postgraduate students at Johns Hopkins University (USA), Access it here
Race and Racism in World Politics, a module deigned by Robbie Shilliam and delivered to 3rd year undergraduate students at Queen Mary University of London (UK). (Also relevant to Human Geography / Urban Studies). Access it here
Politics in Africa: Contesting Development, a module deigned by Portia Roelofs for masters students at the LSE (UK). (Also relevant to Development Studies). Access it here
Introduction to International Relations, this is a reading list compiled by students at Cambridge University (UK) upon graduating in 2018 as they felt that the curriculum needed decolonising. This reading list has been designed with decolonising a first year ‘introduction to International Relations’ module in mind. Access it here
First Year Politics Course, this is a reading list compiled by students at Cambridge University (UK) upon graduating in 2018 as they felt that the curriculum needed decolonising. This reading list has been designed with decolonising a first year core modules in Politics. It offers a parallel reading list to that offered at the first year on the current Politics degree programme at Cambridge but has many resources that could be used for rethinking politics elsewhere. Access it here
Public Ethics/ Applied Ethics, this is a reading list compiled by Gemma Bird and Nick Martin at the University of Liverpool (UK). It was designed with undergraduate Political Science students in mind. Access it here
Theories of Violence, a module designed and delivered by Susannah O’Sullivan for Msc International Relations students at the University of Bristol. Access it here
Geography
Science Studies, a module designed by Angela Last and delivered to both human and physical geographers at various UK institutions. Access here
Geohumanities, a module designed by Angela Last and delivered to both human and physical geographers at various UK institutions. Access it here
Hispanic Studies
The teaching resources below were submitted by Joanna Allen, Research Fellow in Hispanic Studies at Durham University. Joanna has written a short reflective piece on the task of decolonising Hispanic Studies which can be read here
Equatorial Guinea, a reading list for a block within a larger core Hispanic Studies module compiled by Joanna Allan for undergraduate students at Durham University (UK). Access it here
Conflict and Violence in the Spanish Speaking World a reading list for a block within a larger core Hispanic Studies module compiled by Joanna Allan for undergraduate students at Durham University (UK). Access it here
Dossier of Friendship Generation Poetry, compiled for a block within a larger core Hispanic Studies module, compiled by Joanna Allan for undergraduate students at Durham University (UK). Access it here
Dossier on Identity in Modern Equatoguinean Cultural Production, compiled for a block within a larger core Hispanic Studies module, compiled by Joanna Allan for undergraduate students at Durham University (UK). Access it here
Migration Studies
Lexicon of Migration, A reading list compiled by Agata Lisiak for teaching students at Bard College Berlin in spring 2019. Access it here
Postcolonial and Decolonial Perspectives on Forced Migration, A reading list compiled by Lucy Mayblin for teaching a one off class for masters students at the Oxford University Refuge Studies Centre. Access it here
Architecture, Planning, Urban Studies
Race, Space, and Architecture A reading list compiled by Suzi Hall and Huda Tayob for teaching students of Architecture at the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, and the University of Johannesburg . Access it here
Decolonising the curriculum
What is Decolonization? A reading list compiled by students at Cambridge University on the theme of decolonisation. Access it here
