Over deze minor
Debates on decolonizing science and development have gained prominence worldwide. They raise questions about how knowledge is produced, whose perspectives are valued, and how historical and contemporary power relations shape access to resources for healthy and sustainable livelihoods. Many of these discussions point to the continuing influence of colonial structures in patterns of inequality, marginalization, exclusion and oppression. Meanwhile, there are long-standing debates among scholars, practitioners and communities in different regions of the world about how science and development can incorporate a plurality of knowledge traditions, perspectives and lived experiences. This minor introduces you to these discussions and invites them to examine both their historical background and their relevance for contemporary scientific and development practice. What might it mean to study these issues with an open analytical mindset? And what kinds of new insights become possible when we take a wider range of voices and experiences seriously?
Rather than presenting a single interpretation, the minor brings together perspectives from history, sociology, anthropology, geography, philosophy and development studies. You engage with work from across the world, including Africa, Asia and Latin America, examining how particular knowledge systems gained prominence while others were sidelined. You also explore how people have questioned, resisted or reinterpreted these structures across different periods. You are invited to consider how the ideas and perspectives discussed in the minor resonate with challenges or questions in their own study domain, whether in the life sciences, environmental sciences, social sciences or other Wageningen fields. How did certain ideas become authoritative? What alternatives have been proposed, and under what circumstances?
The concept of decolonization plays an important role in these conversations. You will be introduced to multiple meanings of decolonization, including critiques of Eurocentric assumptions in science and development, attention to marginalized and historically oppressed knowledge, and proposals for more inclusive or contextually grounded approaches. Through these discussions, you consider how debates on decolonization relate to global challenges such as climate change, environmental justice, food systems and sustainability. Where do historical patterns shape present-day policy choices? How do these influence whose knowledge counts in scientific or development arenas?
Throughout the minor, you also analyze your own assumptions and positionalities while engaging critically and constructively with perspectives that may be unfamiliar or challenging. The aim is not to guide you toward a predetermined viewpoint. Inst...
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Leerresultaten
Identify the most important ways in which colonialism has shaped societies and their relations across the world over the past five centuries
Identify the multiple ways in which histories of colonialism and slavery continue to shape present day realities of inequalities and injustices
Analyse and critically evaluate how colonialism has shaped knowledge production in science and development and how it facilitated the Global North/West to acquire its dominance and authority over the rest
Analyse the diverse debates on the meaning of decolonisation, especially those happening in Latin America, Africa and South Asia for a long time
Recognise historically oppressed voices and knowledge and their potential to contribute to change, specifically in the context of science and development
Apply decolonial lenses to global interdependent challenges such as climate crisis, environmental issues, and sustainable development
Reflect critically upon their own thinking and positionality to become responsible change makers