SDEb1005 Decolonisation and the transformation of the "Third World"

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
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 to the course and requirements for students. The roots, form and metamorphosis of colonialism. 2. Conceptual debate: colonization, colonies, colonialism, neo-colonialism, decolonization, imperialism, neo-imperialism and the Third World. 3. Implications 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. The decolonization of the French Empire. 7. The collapse of the Dutch, Belgian, Spanish and Portuguese colonial possessions. 8. The collapse and legacy of the Japanese colonial system. 9. The role of the USSR in decolonisation. 10. The Argentine invasion of the Falklands. Is it really part of decolonisation? 11. Colonialism and decolonization in the post-Cold War world. 12. The economic, social and cultural legacy of European colonialism.
Literature
    required literature
  • Betts, Raymond F. 1998. Decolonization. New York and London: Routledge.
  • KLÍMA, Jan. Afrika ve vichru svobody : dekolonizace a její důsledky. Vydání první. Praha: NLN, 2021, 407 stran. ISBN 9788074227967. info
  • JOHNSON, Paul. Dějiny dvacátého století. Translated by Jan Čulík. Vyd. v tomto překladu 2. Praha: Rozmluvy, 2008, 845 s. ISBN 9788073351458. 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
  • KLÍMA, Jan. Dekolonizace portugalské koloniální říše : historická motivace, specifika, průběh. Hradec Králové: Gaudeamus, 2000, 407 stran. ISBN 8070412599. info
    not specified
  • NÁLEVKA, Vladimír. Čas soumraku : rozpad koloniálních impérií po druhé světové válce. Vyd. 1. Praha: Triton, 2004, 199 s. ISBN 8072544950. info
Teaching methods
lectures, seminars, seminar discussions, term papers, reports
Assessment methods
written examination (50%), seminar paper (40%), presentation (10%).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
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