Emma Crane

I taught me more formal elements of academic, reaching out to scholars, peer reviewing etc. It also brought a diverse perspective on colonialism, which I had a base understanding of, it merely enhanced it.

creating more reader-facing writing, interpreting various historical documents using accumulated theory-derived insights

I learned far too much in this course to summarize in a few sentences, as it encompassed so many theories, movements, and histories. But one thing I will definitely take with me is the importance of decolonization on the individual, internal level. I took a justice and peace studies class last year at my previous institution, and in that class we discussed how, in order to be an effective agent for peace in the world, you need to have internal peace. I think that's true with decolonization, too. I also think that our world has a lot of dismantling and rebuilding to do, and I will keep a lot of the theories we learned with me as I (hopefully) go into work in the human rights field.

I learned the various histories pertaining to decolonization and colonization, and the diverse perspectives each respective movement had in addressing it.

A brief history of various examples of colonization across different time periods, as well as some examples of efforts to decolonize nations, archives, and knowledge itself.

systems of colonization through the world, engines of decolonization in a contemporary context

I learned SO MUCH. This is the most important class I have taken during my entire Columbia experience, and honestly should be part of the Core. To learn about colonization, decolonization, and how these two themes have shaped our history.

Even though CC is including more non-Eurocentric texts, it pails in comparison with the more specific analyzation of colonization in our society. Instead of viewing colonization/slavery as a feature of potential functioning society and then moving past it, it analyzes why stop at that acceptance. Plus great discussions.

yes, I already recommended this to another student. Professor Crane has a strong ability to recognize the skillset of each student and comfortably challenge one to expand upon that range

Colonization/Decolonization is one of the most important courses that Columbia has to offer. It emphasizes how colonization is not some relic of the past, but an ongoing and ever-present process that continues to impact our world. Simultaneously, it also teaches students about movements for decolonization at multiple levels, from internal to international. This course serves as a really important opportunity to reflect not only on the overall structure and history of the world, but also our place in it within the structure of colonialism, and what we can do about it.