Unfinished Stories: Memory and the Legacy of European Colonialism
The legacies of European colonial empires continue to define global politics, economies, and identities. This course explores how former colonies and imperial powers remember, contest, and live with their shared imperial pasts.
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.
The world today remains deeply shaped by the histories of European colonial empires. Many of the most influential nations-those with strong economies and powerful militaries-were once imperial powers, yet their memories of empire often differ starkly from those of the nations they once controlled.
This course explores how different communities and populations across the world remember their imperial pasts. Through case studies from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe, we will examine how memories of empire are shaped by politics, culture, and identity. We will discuss why some histories are celebrated while others are silenced and how these contested memories influence contemporary debates on justice, identity, and power.
What will we cover?
Session 1: Introduction + Memory as dynamic, social and conflicted across generations
Session 2: DRC and Belgium
Session 3: Indonesia and the Netherlands
Session 4: Portugal, Angola and Mozambique
Session 5: France, Haiti, Algeria, Vietnam and Mali
Session 6: Britain, India, Pakistan, Palestine, Kenya and Cyprus.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
understand and discuss memory as dynamic, social and conflicted
assess and discuss the ways in which different societies remember or forget their imperial pasts
analyse the political and cultural consequences of colonial memory in contemporary societies
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.
However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills.
Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course will entail mix of lectures, discussions, and case-study analysis. There is no required work outside of class, but optional reading materials will be provided for further exploration.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No added costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note-taking or a digital equivalent.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You may also be interested in:
HMI54 The British empire: is Historical Justice and Reconciliation possible?
HMI60 History of Museums: collections, connections and communities
HMI61 Decolonising museums: the challenges of reparations
Olivia Durand is global historian doing work and teaching on the politics of history and memory, settler colonialism and colonial port cities in addition to the history of 19th century Russia, Ukraine and America. Olivia has worked at Oxford University, the Free University in Berlin and the Institute of Historical Justice and Reconciliation in the Hague and is keen to offer more courses at City Lit.
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/unfinished-stories-memory-and-the-legacy-of-european-colonialism3022891Unfinished Stories: Memory and the Legacy of European Colonialismhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/u/n/unfinished_stories_memory_and_the_legacy_of_european_colonialism-hmi152--1080.jpg169169GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage22851177117819071228511771178<p>The legacies of European colonial empires continue to define global politics, economies, and identities. This course explores how former colonies and imperial powers remember, contest, and live with their shared imperial pasts.</p>002990933Unfinished Stories: Memory and the Legacy of European Colonialism169169https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/u/n/unfinished_stories_memory_and_the_legacy_of_european_colonialism-hmi152--1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-30T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHMI52169169Unfinished Stories: Memory and the Legacy of European Colonialism135110169Olivia Durandunfinished-stories-memory-and-the-legacy-of-european-colonialism/hmi52-2526<p>The legacies of European colonial empires continue to define global politics, economies, and identities. This course explores how former colonies and imperial powers remember, contest, and live with their shared imperial pasts.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-30 00:00:00<p>The world today remains deeply shaped by the histories of European colonial empires. Many of the most influential nations-those with strong economies and powerful militaries-were once imperial powers, yet their memories of empire often differ starkly from those of the nations they once controlled.</p><p>This course explores how different communities and populations across the world remember their imperial pasts. Through case studies from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe, we will examine how memories of empire are shaped by politics, culture, and identity. We will discuss why some histories are celebrated while others are silenced and how these contested memories influence contemporary debates on justice, identity, and power.</p><p>The legacies of European colonial empires continue to define global politics, economies, and identities. This course explores how former colonies and imperial powers remember, contest, and live with their shared imperial pasts.</p><ul><li>Session 1: Introduction + Memory as dynamic, social and conflicted across generations</li><li>Session 2: DRC and Belgium</li><li>Session 3: Indonesia and the Netherlands</li><li>Session 4: Portugal, Angola and Mozambique</li><li>Session 5: France, Haiti, Algeria, Vietnam and Mali</li><li>Session 6: Britain, India, Pakistan, Palestine, Kenya and Cyprus.</li></ul><ul><li>understand and discuss memory as dynamic, social and conflicted</li><li>assess and discuss the ways in which different societies remember or forget their imperial pasts</li><li>analyse the political and cultural consequences of colonial memory in contemporary societies</li></ul><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>This course will entail mix of lectures, discussions, and case-study analysis. There is no required work outside of class, but optional reading materials will be provided for further exploration.</p><p>No added costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note-taking or a digital equivalent.</p><p> </p><p>You may also be interested in: </p><ul><li>HMI54 The British empire: is Historical Justice and Reconciliation possible?</li><li>HMI60 History of Museums: collections, connections and communities</li><li>HMI61 Decolonising museums: the challenges of reparations </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/world-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our upcoming global and imperial history courses here.</a></p>HistoryHistories, memories & heritagevirtual135169110HMI52NONEThu30/04/26 - 04/06/2616:45 - 18:4516:4518:456 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetOlivia DurandBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-30T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities169169Unfinished Stories: Memory and the Legacy of European Colonialismunfinished-stories-memory-and-the-legacy-of-european-colonialism/hmi52-2526<p>The legacies of European colonial empires continue to define global politics, economies, and identities. This course explores how former colonies and imperial powers remember, contest, and live with their shared imperial pasts.</p>0000-Available|2026-04-30 00:00:00<p>The world today remains deeply shaped by the histories of European colonial empires. Many of the most influential nations-those with strong economies and powerful militaries-were once imperial powers, yet their memories of empire often differ starkly from those of the nations they once controlled.</p><p>This course explores how different communities and populations across the world remember their imperial pasts. Through case studies from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Europe, we will examine how memories of empire are shaped by politics, culture, and identity. We will discuss why some histories are celebrated while others are silenced and how these contested memories influence contemporary debates on justice, identity, and power.</p><p>The legacies of European colonial empires continue to define global politics, economies, and identities. This course explores how former colonies and imperial powers remember, contest, and live with their shared imperial pasts.</p><ul><li>Session 1: Introduction + Memory as dynamic, social and conflicted across generations</li><li>Session 2: DRC and Belgium</li><li>Session 3: Indonesia and the Netherlands</li><li>Session 4: Portugal, Angola and Mozambique</li><li>Session 5: France, Haiti, Algeria, Vietnam and Mali</li><li>Session 6: Britain, India, Pakistan, Palestine, Kenya and Cyprus.</li></ul><ul><li>understand and discuss memory as dynamic, social and conflicted</li><li>assess and discuss the ways in which different societies remember or forget their imperial pasts</li><li>analyse the political and cultural consequences of colonial memory in contemporary societies</li></ul><p>This course is suitable both for newcomers to the subject and for those who have some background knowledge. You will need a good grasp of English to keep up with the course. An ability and willingness to explore relevant shared resources will increase what you get out of the course.</p><p>However, as with most of our history, politics and current affairs courses, an open mind and a respectful willingness to listen to and think about views with which you do not always agree are more important than specific levels of skills. </p><p>Given the sensitive nature of some of the topics the course will explore, we also expect everyone to engage group and class discussions with respect and the willingness to learn from others.</p><p>This course will entail mix of lectures, discussions, and case-study analysis. There is no required work outside of class, but optional reading materials will be provided for further exploration.</p><p>No added costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for note-taking or a digital equivalent.</p><p> </p><p>You may also be interested in: </p><ul><li>HMI54 The British empire: is Historical Justice and Reconciliation possible?</li><li>HMI60 History of Museums: collections, connections and communities</li><li>HMI61 Decolonising museums: the challenges of reparations </li></ul><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/world-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View all our upcoming global and imperial history courses here.</a></p>HistoryHistories, memories & heritageconfigurable
19071178Histories, memories & heritagehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/further-historical-studies1/2/285/1177/1178/19071/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage
