What are Culture and Colonialism?
Cultural Colonialism refers to the extension of colonial state power and the systematic subordination of one conceptual framework or cultural identity over others. Simply put, Cultural Colonialism is the desire of wealthy nations to control another nation’s values and perceptions through cultural means, such as media, language, education and religion, for their own economic reasons.
Cultural colonialism leads to the foreigner’s ways being regarded as the better way and being held in a higher esteem than previous indigenous ways. People, once subject to colonial or imperial rule, latch onto physical and cultural differences between the foreigners and themselves, leading some to associate power and success with the foreigner’s ways and disregarding their indigenous beliefs.
Through colonialism, many dominant societies impose their languages upon other groups of people, and through globalisation, popular culture traits create increasingly uniform global landscapes, leading to a significant loss of diversity. Some positives historians have pointed out are medicine, education, improved infrastructure and boundaries. The growth of the African population was aided by the Western medicine introduced by Europeans. Africans were introduced to formal education by Europeans. In consequence, colonialism drove economic development in some parts of Europe and stunted it in others.
What 3rd level courses are available?
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering Culture and Colonialism courses in the following subject areas:
- Culture & Colonialism – The study of literature, politics and culture from Ireland to India, and from Africa to the Middle East and the analysis of imperial ascendancies, race and racial theories, nationalist movements, postcolonial experiences, the rise of neo-colonial thought, multiculturalism and interculturalism, and the implications of globalisation and development for the modern world.
- Culture & Society – The study of Theorizing Society, Project Planning and Management, Sociology of the Body and Sexuality, Philosophy of Adult & Community Education, Introduction to Anthropology and Youth Culture.
- MA in Global Cultures and Languages – The study of advanced language skills in one or more areas and developing expertise in intercultural communication and cultural transfer.
- QQI Level 6 Arts and Culture Module Online – Gain the knowledge, skill and competence to support early childhood learning through creative arts and culture.
- Pre-University: Arts, Culture and History – Gain solid background knowledge and skills for progression to the third level and thrive in an Arts or Media Degree.
- Culture, Identity and Power in the Roman Empire – The study of culture, identity and power in the Roman empire and the different effects of imperial power on conquests from Britain to North Africa.
- Europe: Culture and Identities in a Contested Continent – A look at the complex nature of identity.
Studying Culture and Colonialism in college
There are many Culture and Colonialism courses that take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials and taught modules. Assessments will take place on a continuous basis with written examinations and practical assignments combined in order to achieve a qualification.
You could also consider work experience or volunteering to help in positions like teaching or research assistant if those are areas you would like to go into. There may also be opportunities to help with labs or lectures. In some research student positions, teaching and administrative responsibilities are given as a condition of receiving a bursary.
Work Experience will not only give you the opportunity to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
Career options
After completing a course in Culture and Colonialism you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of history and social sciences.
Working hours will depend on whether you are employed by a company with set business hours or if you are contracted to various facilities or companies. The hours are usually full time, Monday to Friday. You should expect to work some long hours, including evenings and weekends, to fit in time for things like lectures and lecture preparation, tutorials, your own research, marking, outreach work, open days, students’ supervision and administrative tasks.
Depending on your subject area, you may work in lecture theatres, classrooms, studios, laboratories, libraries, hospital wards or outdoors (if your activities include fieldwork).
Some positions within the field will get the chance to work outside their own institution, in areas such as consultancy, the media, publishing and public speaking. Lecturers in areas such as art and design often come from industry and maintain their own professional practice in addition to lecturing.
There are opportunities to work abroad and you may need to travel overseas for conferences, seminars and collaborative work with other institutions.
Related jobs include:
- Social researcher
- Equality, diversity and inclusion officer
- Higher education lecturer
- Research Librarian
- Community development worker
- International aid/development worker
- Charity officer
- Local government officer
- Market researcher
- Chaplain
- Human resources officer
- Museum/Gallery curator
- Policy officer
- Political risk analyst
- Public relations officer
- Social worker
- UX researcher
Further study
After completing a course in Culture and Colonialism you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practise in certain career areas such as Archaeology, Folklore and Ethnology, Local History, European Studies and Political Studies.
FAQ
What skills could be helpful for a career in Culture and Colonialism?
If you would like to go into a research or teaching position within the Culture and Colonialism field you will need to have a level of expertise in your subject area and the ability to pass this passion on to your students and peers.
It will be very helpful if you have a capacity for original thought and the ability to produce original research for publication; published research and a willingness to participate at professional conferences are also beneficial.
You should have excellent oral and written communication skills in order to write reports and applications for funding, and to deliver lectures, workshops and presentations.
The ability to organise your own workload and research group and to manage your time within competing demands, as well as the capability to work both independently and as part of a team to achieve both your own research goals and the aims of your department are very common within both career fields.
Generally speaking you should also have excellent analytical skills, a flexible approach to work and good general IT and administrative skills.
Where can I study Culture and Colonialism?
Explore your options here
Did You Know?
- In France, table etiquette is one of the most demanding in the world. Most people are overwhelmed by the number of rules you need to follow to not be rude at the table.
- Research believes that blonde hair developed to enable the more efficient synthesis of vitamin D due to the lack of sunlight. Moreover, the mutation dates back to almost 11,000 years ago which is also around the time of the last ice age.
- Over 6000 languages are currently spoken all over the world.
- In Japan, the elderly are always respected and honoured. When eating with family, it is a custom to serve the elderly first. When giving them their food, it should be passed on with both hands as a sign of respect.
- Russia is not very particular with western superstitions. This means that the number 13 is just a normal number and that it is also alright to open umbrellas indoors.
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