2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
ENGL32941 ‘Global English’: Colonialism, Postcolonialism, and Decolonisation
20 creditsClass Size: 30
School of English
Module manager: Dr. Kate Spowage
Email: k.s.spowage@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
In this module students will interrogate ‘global English’ from the perspective of colonialism and its legacies. The emphasis is on the history and politics of English – we will explore the role of English in (post-)colonial societies and in decolonisation. Using literary texts and real-world case studies, we will examine the links between English and domination, prosperity, and liberation. Thus, the module will challenge students to develop a critical understanding of the world’s most widespread language.Objectives
The aim of the module is to foster an informed and critical approach to the study of English in global contexts. It will allow students to explore ‘global English’ from a range of perspectives, drawing on key readings in Applied Linguistics alongside literary texts. The central objectives are:-To introduce students to debates around ‘global English’, using specific contextual examples.
-To encourage students to consider the relationship between ‘global English’ and the legacies of colonialism.
-To explore the relevance of decolonial thought to debates around ‘global English’.
-To equip students with an understanding of the issues around English in post-colonial societies.
-To challenge students to develop a nuanced and critical understanding of ‘global English’.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of English in the colonial and post-colonial world
2. Identify and analyse language ideologies
3. Discuss the relationship between the English language and forms of decolonisation (such as political, cultural, social, and intellectual decolonisation)
Skills Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
4. Think critically and engage with complex debates.
5. Conduct research and make creative connections between different bodies of knowledge.
6. Communicate ideas effectively in speech.
7. Communicate ideas effectively in writing.
Syllabus
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lectures | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Seminars | 4 | 2.00 | 8.00 |
| seminars | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Practicals | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 3.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 177.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Students will be expected to complete work ahead of each seminar, and they will receive formative feedback, including peer feedback, throughout the seminars. Opportunities will also be made available for peer feedback via such digital technologies as Padlet and Mentimeter. Further feedback will be available through office hour appointments. The module will also include short (20 minute or less) videos, produced by the module leader weekly, which will provide cohort-wide formative feedback. These are accounted for as ‘Independent Online Learning’ above. Progress will be monitored through a mid-module student conference, in which each student is required to give a research-based presentation (maximum 10 minutes). They will receive formative feedback on the verbal element and their slides, and the assessment will allow them to practice necessary analytical skills for the final essay.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Presentation | Verbal Presentation with PPT 1 x 10-minute | 40.00 |
| Essay | 1 x 2500 word essay | 60.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Students will give a verbal presentation as part of a student conference. This is timetabled as a practical session in Section 5, and will be organised as a 2-hour slot for each group of ten students.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 22/05/2024
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