Midterm Topics

Postcolonial Theory

A critical framework that examines the cultural, intellectual, and historical effects of colonialism on colonized societies.

Edward Said

A Palestinian-American academic and literary critic, known for his work 'Orientalism' which critiques Western depictions of Eastern cultures.

The Exotic Other

A concept representing individuals perceived as distant, romanticized, and alien in a cultural context, often used to reinforce Eurocentric views.

Orientalism

A major work by Edward Said that critiques false cultural representations in Western-Eastern relations.

Tayeb Salih

A notable Arab novelist known for 'Season of Migration to the North', regarded as essential in 20th-century Arabic literature.

Frantz Fanon

A Martinican philosopher recognized for his anticolonial views and influential works on colonial violence and identity.

Subaltern

Colonial subjects who are socially, politically, and geographically excluded from power hierarchies.

Hybridity

A concept by Homi Bhabha referring to the cultural mixing that creates new identities, challenging the stability of cultures.

Mimicry

The imitation of colonizers by the colonized that critiques power dynamics and showcases cultural exchanges.

The imperial gaze

A concept introduced by E. Ann Kaplan, referring to how groups observe and categorize others, often reinforcing power dynamics.

Colonization

The process of establishing a colony in a place, typically by a foreign power, leading to cultural exchange and conflict.

Decolonization

The period during which African nations gained independence from colonial rule, marking a significant shift in cultural and political landscapes.

Things Fall Apart

A novel by Chinua Achebe that explores the effects of colonialism on Igbo society, set in the late 19th century.

Autoethnography

A method blending personal experience with historical critique to explore the impact of colonialism on identity.

Gender and Representation

A concept from Gayatri Spivak that focuses on the representation of women, particularly marginalized groups, in colonial contexts.

Inter-colonial divisions

Internal divisions within colonized societies resulting from imposed images and stereotypes by colonial powers.

Tutsi and Hutu

Ethnic groups in Rwanda, historically divided and impacted by colonial policies that enforced social and political hierarchies.

Cultural Imperialism

The practice of promoting and imposing a culture, often by a dominant power, over another culture.

Homi Bhabha

A prominent postcolonial theorist known for concepts like hybridity and mimicry.

Postcolonial Feminism

An approach that examines the intersection of gender and colonialism, focusing on women's experiences in colonized societies.

Double Consciousness

A concept by W.E.B. Du Bois referring to the internal conflict experienced by subordinated groups in an oppressive society.

Diaspora

The dispersal of people from their homeland, often leading to the formation of new cultural identities.

Cultural Hybridity

The mixing and merging of cultures due to globalization and migration, leading to new cultural forms.

Identity Politics

Political positions and movements based on the interests and perspectives of particular social groups.

Decoloniality

The process of deconstructing colonial ideologies and structures of power, promoting indigenous knowledge and practices.

Postcolonial Literature

Literature that responds to the cultural legacy of colonialism, often exploring themes of identity, racism, and power.

Cultural Colonization

The imposition of a dominant culture over a subordinate one, often leading to the erasure of indigenous cultures.

Transnationalism

The process of transcending national boundaries, leading to cultural exchange and the creation of multicultural identities.

Neocolonialism

The practice of using capitalism, globalization, and cultural imperialism to influence a country or region, rather than direct military control.

Postcolonial Critique

An analytical approach that examines how literature and culture reflect and resist colonial legacies.