Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Thinking Otherwise: Decolonial Approaches to Contemporary Thought and Culture
School	Lan, Cult, Art Hist & Music
Department	Modern Languages
Module Code	09 34910
Module Lead	Emanuelle Santos
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-10 hours Seminar-20 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module offers students the opportunity to build on their critical skills accumulated over the course of their university studies by engaging with contemporary ideas that have been challenging the exclusive ways in which cultures and societies have been understood since the advent of modernity. With a focus on the experiences of peripheral and semi-peripheral societies in the Portuguese-speaking world, students will assess key contemporary changes in terms of the organisation of culture, attitudes towards the environment, economy, as well as diversity in terms of gender, sexuality, race, religion and abilities that have been changing the world. Through the further study of key theoretical formulations in fields such as decolonial studies, postcolonial studies, cultural studies, comparative literature, ecocriticism, gender studies, critical race theory and disability studies, students will be able to critically analyse the impact and the transformative potential of critical thinking and culture in the 21st century. All primary and secondary sources, as well as lecture slides and classes are in English.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: evaluate key theoretical formulations discussed in the course; analyse the impact of their own views and attitudes in society through reflection; formulate their informed critical views on the cultural artefacts studied in the course; articulate and present complex ideas in writing.
Assessment	34910-01 : 3000 Word Essay : Coursework (70%) 34910-02 : 1500 Word Essay : Coursework (30%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 30% Critical/reflective essay in English (1,500 words); 70% Critical essay in English (3,000 words). Reassessment: Not available (final year module)
Other
Reading List