Decolonizing and diversifying are easier said than done Disc
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I want an esay 2000 words about
Decolonizing and diversifying are easier said than done. Discuss.
Essay Guidance for Postcolonial Politics
General Guidelines
Due at 13.00 on December 8th (please don’t be late as we have no control over late penalties)
2000 words there is a +/- 10% rule, but try to get as close as possible (it’s a skill)
Choose one question from the module handbook (note: they’re deliberately broad so you can explore topics you find particularly interesting)
You should be looking at upwards of 10 sources
Prioritise academic sources in your research (you get graded on the types of sources you use)
Academic sources integrate theory, discuss key concepts, and are peer reviewed (so you can trust them, mostly)
News articles and websites are useful for empirical examples, but are largely absent of theory/concepts
Knowledge and Understanding
You are (partially) evaluated based on your knowledge and understanding of the essay topic and key concepts discussed in the module
If you don’t incorporate Postcolonial Theory, how can we determine your knowledge of it
You can use academic sources and your notes from the lectures to avoid this problem
A good way to do well in this area is to use concepts to structure your argument and theoretical framework (e.g. using representation to analyse identity rather than just accepting that identities exist)
Structure and Argument
Clearly state your argument in the introduction, refer to it throughout the main body of the essay, and reintroduce it in the conclusion
This will keep the focus on your analysis
Integrate counterpoints in your discussion
Don’t relegate a counterpoint to a paragraph at the end of the paper
Instead, use the contrast throughout your essay to support your argument
Don’t be fooled by ‘discuss’ questions – these should also have an argument (or position)
Style and Presentation
Unless you have a learning entitlement, you are graded on your essay’s presentation (grammar, spelling, bibliography, format, etc.)
A good way to do well is to edit your work
I know it sounds obvious, but try to finish your draft a day early so that you can take some time away and return to it with fresh eyes
Poor grammar and sentence structure often obscures the point you’re trying to make
Be direct in your writing and work to engage the reader
What are the main features of Postcolonial Theory? Is this theory relevant for studying politics and international relations?
Your essay must focus on both parts of the question to do well
Postcolonial Theory is quite diverse, so there are many different features you could look at
However, a good baseline argument is to highlight the continuities of colonialism in the present day
Relevancy is where you can adopt a more critical stance
Think: what is the purpose of politics and IR? Is it about solving problems or understanding?
Choose two concepts from politics and IR (e.g. development, democracy, state, sovereignty, power, national interest, pandemic, etc.) and show how identity matters in relation to those concepts.
Argument is how identity does or does not matter, so you should keep that as the focus
Representation is a good concept to use for this paper
Try to choose two concepts that are (somewhat) linked
Empirical examples would be a good focus for this paper (but don’t forget to theorise identity)
How does representation shape our understanding of the world?
Super broad question, so you have a lot of creative licence
Important to theorise representation early on – consult the module handbook for key authors like Stuart Hall
Map out how we ‘understand the world’
Is it through gender? Race? Nations?
Decolonizing and diversifying are easier said than done. Discuss.
Avoid the ‘discuss trap’ and have a clear argument
What is decolonizing AND diversifying? What does it entail?
What are the types of structures deployed against it?
Suggestion: look at initiatives in higher education and how they have done over the past few years
For the stability of the postcolonial nation-state, it is justifiable to prioritise national security and territorial integrity over human rights. Discuss.
Again, have a clear argument
You might want to look at why national security and territorial integrity is so important to ‘postcolonial nation-states’
This forms the context around which you base your argument
Use a case study to inform your discussion and support your argument
The contemporary postcolonial world is anything but postcolonial. Discuss
What does it mean to be ‘postcolonial’? Is this merely the period after colonialism or is it something else?
You’ve got a lot of control over what is included in this paper, so it’s difficult to suggest what to look at
However, you could deploy various themes we’ve discussed in the module (like race, gender, nation, religion, identity politics, development, etc.)
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