SDEb1005 Decolonisation and the transformation of the "Third World"

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Zuzana Dendysová (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites
Ability to follow academic literature in Czech and English.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to bring students to an understanding of the ideological sources and empirical data related to colonialism, neo-colonialism and decolonization. Their traditions, structure and protagonists will be described and analysed. Attention will be given to the periodization and interpretation of decolonization after 1945, the significance of this process for world politics in the context of the Cold War, an analysis of the UN decolonization agenda, an analysis of its post-Cold War status, and the economic, social, and cultural consequences of European colonialism.
Learning outcomes
Students will be able after completation of this course to: - Explain the basic concepts of colonization, colonies, colonialism, neo-colonialism, decolonization, imperialism, neo-imperialism and the Third World. - Apply the basic concepts in analysing contemporary history. - Describe the major developmental stages of decolonization after 1945. - Characterize the significance of decolonization for world politics after 1945. - Understand the relationship between the Cold War and decolonization. - Understand the economic, social and cultural consequences of European colonialism.
Syllabus
1. Introduction of the course and requirements for students. Conceptual debate: colonization, colonies, colonialism, neocolonialism, imperialism, neo-imperialism, decolonization, third world and post-colonialism. Sources of information. 2. European expansion - the birth of the modern world 3. The consequences of the Second World War for the metropolis-colony relationship after 1945 4. The collapse of the British colonial empire in Asia 5 The collapse of the British colonial empire in Africa 6. Decolonization of the French Empire 7. The collapse of Dutch, Belgian, Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule 8. The collapse and legacy of the Japanese colonial system 9. The position and role of the USSR in decolonisation 10. The Argentine invasion of the Falklands. Was it really part of decolonisation? 11. Colonialism and decolonization in the post-Cold War world 12. The economic, social and cultural legacy of Western colonialism 13. Concluding Discussion
Literature
    required literature
  • KLÍMA, Jan. Afrika ve vichru svobody : dekolonizace a její důsledky. Vydání první. Praha: NLN, 2021, 407 stran. ISBN 9788074227967. info
  • MARSHALL, Tim. V zajetí geografie : jak lze pomocí deseti map pochopit světovou politiku. Translated by Jan Prokeš. V Praze: Rybka Publishers, 2018, 295 stran. ISBN 9788087950494. info
  • FERRO, Marc. Dějiny kolonizací : od dobývání po nezávislost 13.-20. století. Vyd. 1. Praha: NLN Nakladatelství lidové noviny, 2007, 503 s. ISBN 9788071060215. info
  • NÁLEVKA, Vladimír. Čas soumraku : rozpad koloniálních impérií po druhé světové válce. Vydání 1. Praha: Triton, 2004, 199 stran. ISBN 8072544950. info
    not specified
  • BAYLIS, John; Steve SMITH and Patricia OWENS. The globalization of world politics : an introduction to international relations. Eighth edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2020, xiv, 617. ISBN 9780198825548. info
Teaching methods
lectures, seminars, seminar discussions, term papers, reports
Assessment methods
Written exam (min 60%). The condition for admission is writing two multiple choise mid-term tests for at least 50% and the presentation of the paper in class. Written examination (45 minutes) of 5 open questions graded 0-3 from the required literature, videos and PPT presentations provided by the teacher. Grade: 15 points - A, 14 points - B, 13-12 points C, 11-10 points D and 9 points D.
Náhradní absolvování
In the event of a trip abroad, it will be possible to fulfill the requirements in an alternative form and pass the exam upon return.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
Teacher's information
The course will be taught in a problem-based manner with an emphasis on class discussion. Students will get detailed information in the interactive syllabus. More detailed info in file syllabus in IS.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2026, recent)
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