Reading Seminar on Decolonial Theory and Practice with Dr Sanjay Sharma

Details

Organized by Martin Chautari

Course Description:
This reading seminar on decolonial theory and practice explores the philosophical and political movement that challenges the legacy of colonialism and imperialism shaping the modern world. It aims to expose the ways in which colonialism continues to impact the lives of people in formerly colonized countries, including those countries that claim to be not colonized in the past. Decolonial thinkers critique the dominant narratives of progress, development, and civilization that have justified colonialism and perpetuated its legacies. They advocate for a reimagining of social, political, and economic relations that acknowledges and values the diversity of cultures and ways of life. This reimagining should be grounded in principles of equality, justice, and freedom. This seminar will also unravel the practical use of decolonial thought in both academic and non-academic landscapes. It questions power hierarchies and aims to dismantle orthodoxies.

Sanjay Sharma has a PhD from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, National University of Singapore (NUS). His doctoral research offers a gender critique of the militarisation and transnational migration of Gurkha soldier families. He uses “alternative methodologies” as his research tools that include virtual and visual ethnography, social media engagements, and online and on-site archives. His research interests include feminist historiography, decolonial thought, Marxist literature, and colonial migrations.

Seminar Dates: March 19, March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, April 23, April 30 and May 7 (2024); Tuesdays.

Time: 7:30–9:30 am (informal tea session afterwards)

Venue: Martin Chautari Seminar Hall, Thapathali, Kathmandu.

Course Fee: NRs. 4,000 (In words: Rupees Four Thousands)

Eligibility Requirements: (i) You must be studying at the MA level or have at least an MA degree in the social sciences; and (ii) You should be willing to do all the assigned readings and come to the seminar prepared to discuss them (see below for details).

Application Process: Please submit a 200-word write-up explaining why you want to attend the course. Please also include a one-page CV of yours with full contact details including your current email address and telephone numbers. For online applications, please fill up this Google Form and attach the requested essay and CV as indicated in the form. You can also submit the above in person at MC’s office (27 Jeet Jung Marg, Thapathali, Kathmandu) in a closed envelope that states “Application for Decolonial Theory and Practice Seminar” on the front side. The application deadline is February 25, 2024. Successful applicants will be notified by March 5, 2024. They will have to enroll by March 15, 2024 by paying the course fee to Martin Chautari. Soft copies of the reading materials will be provided after the payment.

Successful applicants can make the payment either in cash at the front desk of Martin Chautari during office hours, or they can pay it electronically (via e-Sewa id 9848867217).

For further information, please contact:

Martin Chautari
Tel: 5338050, 4102027, 4102243
Email: chautari@mos.com.np
Website: www.martinchautari.org.np

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Reading Schedule:

CLASS 1: DECOLONIAL THOUGHT

Tsang, Michael. 2021. Decolonial? Postcolonial? What does It Mean to ‘Decolonise Ourselves’? Available at: https://blogs.ncl.ac.uk/decolonisesml/2021/01/21/decolonial-postcolonial-what-does-it-mean-to-decolonise-ourselves/

Walsh, Catherine E. 2018. The Decolonial For: Resurgences, Shifts, and Movements. In On Decoloniality: Concepts, Analytics, Praxis. Walter D. Mignolo and Catherine E. Walsh, pp. 15–32. Durham: Duke University Press.

Mignolo, Walter D. 2018. What Does It Mean to Decolonize? In On Decoloniality: Concepts, Analytics, Praxis. Walter D. Mignolo and Catherine E. Walsh, pp. 105–134. Durham: Duke University Press.

CLASS 2: ORIENTALISM AND BEYOND

Said, Edward. 1994[1978]. Orientalism [Introduction Chapter]. New York: Vintage Books.

Busbridge, Rachel. 2018. Israel-Palestine and the Settler Colonial ‘Turn’: From Interpretation to Decolonization. Theory, Culture & Society 35(1): 91–115. DOI: 10.1177/0263276416688544

Ahmad, Irfan. 2023. Recognizing Hindu Orientalism. Journal of Political Ideologies 28(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/13569317.2023.2196244

CLASS 3: DECONSTRUCTING MODERNITY

Hopkins, Terence H., Immanuel Wallerstein, et al. 1982. Patterns of Development of the Modern World-System. In Word-Systems Analysis: Theory and Methodology. Terence H. Hopkins, Immanuel Wallerstein and Associates, pp. 41–82. Beverley Hills: Sage.

Grosfoguel, Ramon. 2009. A Decolonial Approach to Political-Economy: Transmodernity, Border Thinking and Global Coloniality. Kult 6: 10–38.

CLASS 4: DECOLONIZING GENDER/GENDERING DECOLONIALITY

Lugones, Maria. 2021. Revisiting Gender: A Decolonial Approach. In Theories of the Flesh: Latinx and Latin American Feminisms, Transformation, and Resistance. Andrea J. Pitts, Mariana Ortega and José Medina, eds., pp. 29–37. New York: Oxford University Press.

Tamang, Seira. 2000. Legalizing State Patriarchy in Nepal. Studies in Nepali History and Society 5(1): 127–156.

Seppälä, Tiina. 2021. Participatory Photography with Women’s Rights Activists in Nepal: Towards a Practice of Decolonial Feminist Solidarity? In Arts-Based Methods for Decolonising Participatory Research. Tiina Seppälä, Melanie Sarantou and Satu Meittinen, eds., pp. 81–98. New York: Routledge.

CLASS 5: NEPAL IN THE [DE]COLONIAL LANDSCAPE

Des Chene, Mary. 2007. Is Nepal in South Asia? The Condition of Non-Postcoloniality. Studies in Nepali History and Society 12(2): 207–223.

Phyak, Prem. 2021. Subverting the Erasure: Decolonial Efforts, Indigenous Language Education and Language Policy in Nepal. Journal of Language, Identity & Education 20(5): 325–339.

Mikkonen, Enni. 2020. Decolonial and Transnational Feminist Solidarity: Promoting Ethically Sustainable Social Change with Women in Rural Nepalese Communities. The International Journal of Community and Social Development 2(1): 10–28.

CLASS 6: DECOLONIAL PRAXIS

Yangesh. 2074 VS. Bhuiyan [In Nepali]. Kathmandu: FinePrint. (यज्ञश । २०७४ । भुइयाँ । काठमाडौँ : फाईनप्रिन्ट)

Uranw, Sangita. 2078 VS. Gangatako Chatani! Musako Chakhana!” [in Nepali]. Kantipur, Asoj 16. (उराँव, संगीता । २०७८ । “गंगटाको चटनी! मुसाको चखना!” कान्तिपुर, असोज १६) । Available at: https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2021/10/02/16331420321074710.html?author=1

Uddin, Nasir. 2011. Decolonising Ethnography in the Field: An Anthropological Account. International Journal of Social Research Methodology 14(6): 455–467.

CLASS 7: COLONIAL DISCOURSES (MASCULINITY, NATIONALISM, HINDUIZATION)

Uprety, Sanjeev. 2011. Masculinity and Mimicry: Ranas and Gurkhas. Baha Occasional Papers 5. Kathmandu: Social Science Baha.

Onta, Pratyoush. 1996. Creating a Brave Nepali Nation in British India: The Rhetoric of Jāti Improvement, Rediscovery of Bhanubhakta and the Writing of Bīr History. Studies in Nepali History and Society 1(1): 37–76.

Allen, NJ. 2016[1997]. Hinduization: The Experience of the Thulung Rai. In Nationalism and Ethnicity in Nepal. David N. Gellner, Joanna Pfaff-Czarnecka and John Whelpton, eds., pp. 303–323. Kathmandu: Vajra Books.

CLASS 8: THE CRITIQUE

Larsen, Neil. 2023. The Reactionary Jargon of Decoloniality. Jacobin. December 29. Available at: https://jacobin.com/2023/12/walter-mignolo-politics-of-decolonial-investigations-review-decoloniality-postcolonialism-academic-jargon-universalism

Ortega, Mariana. 2017. Decolonial Woes and Practices of Un-knowing. The Journal of Speculative Philosophy 31(3): 504–516.