After the course, the student is familiar with the basics of Edward Said's postcolonial theory and its main criticisms. In practice, the course exemplifies how postcolonial analysis can be conducted in peace and conflict studies and demonstrates some of the typical behavior patterns in challenging negotiation situations.

This participatory course begins by choosing an acute international crisis. After a theory lecture, the selected conflict will be interpreted through Edward Said’s ‘contrapuntal reading’. In this type of analysis, a phenomenon is examined on multiple directions simultaneously, with the aim of finding a mutual understanding (‘reading’) of the conflict that takes into consideration the contrasting perspectives.

The course is composed of an obligatory theory lecture, seminar sessions, group work and an extended final seminar where the concluding contrapuntal reading of the conflict will be performed.

In order to pass the course, the participants need to attend the theory lecture, final extended seminar as well as three other seminar sessions. Furthermore, the participants are required to produce a group presentation and an essay. Places are limited in this course (max 15) and filled in the order of registration.

We can still accept a few more students to this course! If you are interested, please send a message to eveliina.permi@uta.fi

A reading list will be provided at the first lecture.