The University of Sheffield
Department of History

HST679: Colonialism on Film

15 credits (semester 2)


Module Leader: Professor Ian Phimister

Module Team: Dr Andrew Cohen, Dr Gerold Krozewski, Dr Timothy Baycroft

 

Module Summary

Postcolonial theory has emphasized both the importance of image and discourse for colonialism and the longevity of this colonial mentality beyond the end of formal colonial rule. The module will address this problem with respect to movies, the prime creators of images in our time. It will compare both historical events/persons to their representation in movies and ask about the consequences of this for Western perception of both colonialism and the (former) colonized world.

 

Module Aims

This unit aims to examine the representation of colonialism in film. Four films, which feature prominent episodes and persons in the history of colonialism, will be discussed in class. Special attention will be drawn to the representation of colonisers and colonised and the construction of a narrative of European superiority, which outlived the period of formal colonial rule.

 

Teaching

The module will be taught in five, two-hour classes. After an initial session on colonialism and postcolonial theory the remaining four will focus on a particular film, which will have been viewed independently by the students. The discussion will be centred around the film and include the historical background as well as a critical discussion of the narrative strategies of the film. This is a field with a very rich and growing body of primary and secondary literature which relates to wider debates about the nature of historical representation. Classes will enable students to share knowledge, debate controversial issues and listen and respond to the views of others in a structured environment. Students will, in addition, have an individual tutorial with their own supervisor in which to discuss the work they will write for assessment for this module.

 

Assessment

Students will prepare a paper (not more than 3000 words). which demonstrates an ability to handle bibliographical resources and which explores one of the key themes raised by an in-depth study of a particular topic in modern history.

 

Selected Reading

To follow.

 

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, a candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to: