Background
The legacy of colonialism is an open wound in present-day western society that has different names: racism, Islamophobia, white supremacy, extreme right etc.
Despite the gains won by decolonisation in the sphere of politics, economics and international relations there is still one dimension of colonialism that has survived the process of decolonization in the fifties and sixties of the last century, that is the dimension of mental colonialism.
Mental colonialism created a narrative of race relations that still dominates the discourse in western media: the supposed superiority of western culture and the supposed inferiority of non-western cultures.
This narrative has changed in the course of four centuries of colonialism, but is its basic assumptions are widespread in the educational system and the discourse in the media. It is there in the mind of both the former coloniser and the colonised. Decolonising the mind means changing the mindset of both groups.
Target of the course
The course Decolonising the Mind has the following targets:
1. Knowledge dissemination: To present new decolonised knowledge on colonialism and its legacy. The student gets an integrated view on five dimensions of colonialism: geographical, economic, political, social and mental. The student gets to know the dominant propositions by scholars from the current of scientific colonialism and their arguments. The critique of these propositions and arguments are presented from the point of view of DTM and an alternative framework is presented to understand the legacy of colonialism in present day society.
2. Developing an assertive decolonial attitude. DTM is not only a matter of consuming new knowledge. It is an attitude that is firmly grounded in the belief that the dominant authority of knowledge (science, government, education, and media) and its policy implications can and should be challenged with sound counterpropositions and arguments. The course aims to build such an attitude.
3. Mastering the tools of debate and discussion for DTM. Knowledge and attitude might not be enough to decolonize the mind. The main instruments of DTM are discussions and debates. The course trains student in discussion and debate both in term of content as well as form, presentation and attitude. DTM is a struggle. Training in discussion and debate is training in the art of intellectual struggle.
Sandew Hira
International Institute for Scientific Research
Dates:
London (One Day Course) 22 September (Sunday) 2013
Birmingham (Two Day Course) 28 and 29 September 2013
Locations:
London IHRC, 202 Preston Road, Wembley HA9 8PA
Nearest stations: Preston Road (Metropolitan Line), 1 minute walk and South Kenton (Bakerloo Line and London Overground) 12 – 15 minutes walk.
Birmingham To be announced
Fees (include Course Materials, lunch and refreshments):
London
The cost of the course is £23 (full rate) and £18 (concessions). Buy your ticket by clicking here or calling us on 020 8904 4222.
The concessionary rate is available to OAP’s, Students, the unwaged and regular IHRC supporters.
Birmingham
The cost for the two day course is £40 (full rate) and £25 (concessions). Buy your ticket by clicking here or calling us on 020 8904 4222.
The concessionary rate is available to OAP’s, Students, the unwaged and regular IHRC supporters.
Information and registration
You will be automatically registered once you pay for your ticket. You can contact the DTM co-ordinator by emailing events(AT)ihrc.org or calling 020 8904 4222.
Further information, including course content, will be posted on this page and sent to everyone who has registered.
http://www.ihrc.org.uk/events/10658-decolonising-the-mind-training-course
