Imperialism

Quarter Project

Throughout the quarter, students will work individually or in groups on a research paper, which will be due in class on Wednesday of Week 10. This paper should focus on a single colonial (or neo-colonial) situation, such as the British in the Caribbean, or more specifically, in the West Indies, or even more specifically, in Jamaica.

Students will refine their topics over the course of the first 2 weeks with Paul and Zahid. Topics and group members will be set by Wednesday of Week 3.

The paper should accomplish 3 things:

1) A basic history which places your colonial situation in the broader context of imperialism.

2) A discussion of the various forms of resistance with which the colonial power had to contend, including, ultimately, formal decolonization (where applicable).

3) A discussion of some of the [discursive] techniques used by the colonizing power to represent the subjugated populations in the colonies, and, where possible, a discussion of some of the discursive techniques used by the subjugated populations to represent themselves. Primary sources for this section could include novels, paintings, photographs, films, political writings, exhibits of many kinds, and more. Students can present their own critique of primary sources, or they can present and critically discuss existing critiques of this sort. Or they can combine both approaches.

The best papers will show an appreciation and understanding of some of the debates in the academic literature around each of these areas.

About half of our Friday morning meeting times will be devoted to directed research on this project, and will be held in the library. About half of our Wednesday morning meeting times will be devoted to faculty meetings with each group, to discuss progress on this project and plan for the next week's work. Successful completion of this project quite often depends on consistent work throughout the quarter. [required . . . ]

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