Decolonization in Communities: Thinking Globally, Reflecting Locally

Description

This program builds on Imperialism, a full-time fall/winter program that examines the unequal relations of power purveyed through the discourse of neoliberal globalization. Students interested in examining resistance to neocolonialism are invited to explore the prospects for decolonization in the context of the Puget Sound area through this one-quarter full-time program.

Working in conjunction with community-based institutions, schools, advocacy groups, veteran's rights groups and other non-profit organizations, Decolonization in Communities will examine resistance strategies such as popular education, immigrant rights advocacy, gay/lesbian/transgender advocacy and community-based economics. What strategies are employed by these institutions to counter the effects of oppression along the lines of gender/race/class/sexual orientation? How have neoliberal policies affected the economy in the Puget Sound area? How has neoliberalism affected public education and what community-based initiatives are contesting the commodification of education?

The eight-credit classroom component for this program will focus on decolonization, education, globalization, feminist economics and political economy. For the other eight credits, students will complete a 20-hour-per-week internship related to program themes. This program is open, without faculty signature, to qualified and motivated students who wish to examine these program themes in a local community setting.