Decolonisation: theory, practice and contemporary debates
This course introduces decolonization as a theory and critical discourse and examines its intellectual debates. It critically examines intellectual and global discussions and contemporary efforts to undo colonial legacies. We will delve into the philosophical discussion of what it means to decolonize knowledge.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Decolonization is a discourse that promises either the realization of the anti-colonial struggle's goals or the self-recovery of formerly colonized and oppressed populations. In Africa, this concept has historically served a dual purpose: challenging dominant narratives of Western intellectual superiority and responding to theories and practices of racism against Black people of African descent. The course explores decolonization as both an anti-colonial political project and an ongoing process of epistemic, cultural, and social transformation. It critically examines colonial legacies, challenges Western epistemological dominance, and considers alternative ways of knowing, being, and organising society, with particular attention to African and Global South perspectives. This course offers a comprehensive and critical discourse on the idea of decolonization. Students will become acquainted with the ideas of philosophers and scholars during the session, such Frantz Fanon, Kwasi Wiredu, Kwame Gyekye, Ngūgĩ wa Thiong’o, Achille Mbembe, Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, Olúfémi Táíwò, Bernard Matolino, and many more.
What will we cover?
• What decolonization is. • Decolonial thoughts and African philosophy. • Contemporary debates and critiques of decolonization.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Define and explain the concept of decolonization. • Critically analyse colonial legacies in knowledge, culture, and society. • To have a good knowledge of the political discussions in African political philosophy. • Have some ideas about the thoughts of some decolonial philosophers and scholars, and their perspectives on enduring decolonial issues. • Apply decolonial thinking to contemporary social and institutional contexts. • Develop informed, critical responses to debates on race, power, and knowledge
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course will prepare students for and provide the opportunity to engage with decolonization discourse and/or contemporary debates on decolonization. No prior experience of the topic is necessary. All that is needed is a receptive mind, the ability to think critically, engage with the materials for intellectual discussions, and be prepared to consider and pay attention to the views and positions of other students which may be different from yours.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Various topics will be introduced. Some of the texts will be presented in PowerPoint format. To better grasp the materials, a critical and intellectual discussion is encouraged. Students are encouraged to search the internet for extra readings in addition to the texts studied during the session.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
A pen and paper may be useful for jotting down ideas.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might be interested in Ovett's next course, HP232 Ethics of artificial intelligence: philosophical and practical approaches, starting in May 2026.
Ovett Nwosimiri has a PhD in Philosophy. His research areas are in philosophy and ethics; particularly African philosophy, African epistemology, Philosophy of race, (Applied/African) Ethics, Decolonization, Comparative philosophy, (African) Political Philosophy, Epistemology, International Business and Data Analytics. He has an interest in other philosophical areas and interdisciplinary research that bridges the gap between philosophy, business, and AI (technology) and that addresses the challenges and opportunities of the digital age in a responsible and inclusive manner. He is a Research Associate at the African Institute for Epistemology and Philosophy of Science (ACEPS), University of Johannesburg.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/decolonisation-theory-practice-and-contemporary-debates3012289Decolonisation: theory, practice and contemporary debateshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/philosophy-reading-HP129-1024.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy22851177140415791228511771404<p>This course introduces decolonization as a theory and critical discourse and examines its intellectual debates. It critically examines intellectual and global discussions and contemporary efforts to undo colonial legacies. We will delve into the philosophical discussion of what it means to decolonize knowledge.</p>003023686Decolonisation: theory, practice and contemporary debates179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/philosophy-reading-HP129-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-24T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHP295179179Decolonisation: theory, practice and contemporary debates143116179Ovett Nwosimiridecolonisation-theory-practice-and-contemporary-debates/hp295-2526<p>This course introduces decolonization as a theory and critical discourse and examines its intellectual debates. It critically examines intellectual and global discussions and contemporary efforts to undo colonial legacies. We will delve into the philosophical discussion of what it means to decolonize knowledge.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-24 00:00:00<p>Decolonization is a discourse that promises either the realization of the anti-colonial struggle's goals or the self-recovery of formerly colonized and oppressed populations. In Africa, this concept has historically served a dual purpose: challenging dominant narratives of Western intellectual superiority and responding to theories and practices of racism against Black people of African descent. The course explores decolonization as both an anti-colonial political project and an ongoing process of epistemic, cultural, and social transformation. It critically examines colonial legacies, challenges Western epistemological dominance, and considers alternative ways of knowing, being, and organising society, with particular attention to African and Global South perspectives. <br/>This course offers a comprehensive and critical discourse on the idea of decolonization. Students will become acquainted with the ideas of philosophers and scholars during the session, such Frantz Fanon, Kwasi Wiredu, Kwame Gyekye, Ngūgĩ wa Thiong’o, Achille Mbembe, Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, Olúfémi Táíwò, Bernard Matolino, and many more.<br/> </p><p>This course introduces decolonization as a theory and critical discourse and examines its intellectual debates. It critically examines intellectual and global discussions and contemporary efforts to undo colonial legacies. We will delve into the philosophical discussion of what it means to decolonize knowledge.</p><p>• What decolonization is.<br/>• Decolonial thoughts and African philosophy.<br/>• Contemporary debates and critiques of decolonization.<br/> </p><p>• Define and explain the concept of decolonization.<br/>• Critically analyse colonial legacies in knowledge, culture, and society.<br/>• To have a good knowledge of the political discussions in African political philosophy.<br/>• Have some ideas about the thoughts of some decolonial philosophers and scholars, and their perspectives on enduring decolonial issues.<br/>• Apply decolonial thinking to contemporary social and institutional contexts.<br/>• Develop informed, critical responses to debates on race, power, and knowledge<br/> </p><p>This course will prepare students for and provide the opportunity to engage with decolonization discourse and/or contemporary debates on decolonization. No prior experience of the topic is necessary. All that is needed is a receptive mind, the ability to think critically, engage with the materials for intellectual discussions, and be prepared to consider and pay attention to the views and positions of other students which may be different from yours.</p><p>Various topics will be introduced. Some of the texts will be presented in PowerPoint format. To better grasp the materials, a critical and intellectual discussion is encouraged. Students are encouraged to search the internet for extra readings in addition to the texts studied during the session.</p><p>A pen and paper may be useful for jotting down ideas.</p><p>You might be interested in Ovett's next course, HP232 Ethics of artificial intelligence: philosophical and practical approaches, starting in May 2026.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyvirtual143179116HP295NONEWed24/06/26 - 29/07/2615:00 - 17:0015:0017:006 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetOvett NwosimiriBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-24T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities179179Decolonisation: theory, practice and contemporary debatesdecolonisation-theory-practice-and-contemporary-debates/hp295-2526<p>This course introduces decolonization as a theory and critical discourse and examines its intellectual debates. It critically examines intellectual and global discussions and contemporary efforts to undo colonial legacies. We will delve into the philosophical discussion of what it means to decolonize knowledge.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-24 00:00:00<p>Decolonization is a discourse that promises either the realization of the anti-colonial struggle's goals or the self-recovery of formerly colonized and oppressed populations. In Africa, this concept has historically served a dual purpose: challenging dominant narratives of Western intellectual superiority and responding to theories and practices of racism against Black people of African descent. The course explores decolonization as both an anti-colonial political project and an ongoing process of epistemic, cultural, and social transformation. It critically examines colonial legacies, challenges Western epistemological dominance, and considers alternative ways of knowing, being, and organising society, with particular attention to African and Global South perspectives. <br/>This course offers a comprehensive and critical discourse on the idea of decolonization. Students will become acquainted with the ideas of philosophers and scholars during the session, such Frantz Fanon, Kwasi Wiredu, Kwame Gyekye, Ngūgĩ wa Thiong’o, Achille Mbembe, Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, Olúfémi Táíwò, Bernard Matolino, and many more.<br/> </p><p>This course introduces decolonization as a theory and critical discourse and examines its intellectual debates. It critically examines intellectual and global discussions and contemporary efforts to undo colonial legacies. We will delve into the philosophical discussion of what it means to decolonize knowledge.</p><p>• What decolonization is.<br/>• Decolonial thoughts and African philosophy.<br/>• Contemporary debates and critiques of decolonization.<br/> </p><p>• Define and explain the concept of decolonization.<br/>• Critically analyse colonial legacies in knowledge, culture, and society.<br/>• To have a good knowledge of the political discussions in African political philosophy.<br/>• Have some ideas about the thoughts of some decolonial philosophers and scholars, and their perspectives on enduring decolonial issues.<br/>• Apply decolonial thinking to contemporary social and institutional contexts.<br/>• Develop informed, critical responses to debates on race, power, and knowledge<br/> </p><p>This course will prepare students for and provide the opportunity to engage with decolonization discourse and/or contemporary debates on decolonization. No prior experience of the topic is necessary. All that is needed is a receptive mind, the ability to think critically, engage with the materials for intellectual discussions, and be prepared to consider and pay attention to the views and positions of other students which may be different from yours.</p><p>Various topics will be introduced. Some of the texts will be presented in PowerPoint format. To better grasp the materials, a critical and intellectual discussion is encouraged. Students are encouraged to search the internet for extra readings in addition to the texts studied during the session.</p><p>A pen and paper may be useful for jotting down ideas.</p><p>You might be interested in Ovett's next course, HP232 Ethics of artificial intelligence: philosophical and practical approaches, starting in May 2026.</p>Philosophy, religion, & ideasPhilosophyconfigurable
15791404Philosophyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/philosophy-religion-belief/philosophy1/2/285/1177/1404/15791/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Philosophy, religion, & ideas/Philosophy
