Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - IS 260 D100

Coloniality, Empire, and Anti-Imperial Struggles: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives (3)

Class Number: 3304

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduction to how Empire is implicated in the making of our modern world. Covers global histories of imperialism, anti-imperial struggles, colonization and decolonization. Includes European imperialist and colonial histories and decenters the position of Europe in world history to understand connections and agency of all peoples. IS 265 or HIST 265 will be accepted in lieu of this course. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course provides an introductory overview to global histories of imperialism, anti-imperial struggles, colonization and decolonization. It addresses various European imperialist and colonial histories and decenters the position of Europe in world history to understand the connections between, and agency of, all peoples across the world. The course will connect complex historic conditions of imperialism, colonialism, decolonization, and anti-imperial struggles to contemporary global challenges of unequal and contested political, economic, cultural, and institutional power. The course content provides opportunities for students to consider world politics in comparative perspective by bridging conceptual knowledge with practical case applications in reference to world-historical events.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students will gain understanding of the complex historic conditions of imperialism, colonialism, decolonization, and anti-imperial struggles that have shaped the contemporary global environment of unequal and contested political, economic, cultural, and institutional power.

Students will acquire knowledge of a range of conceptual and analytic approaches to the study of colonization and decolonization, imperialism and anti-imperial struggles.

Students will gain experience with research and communication skills, including synthesizing and analyzing scholarship in written and oral presentations.

Grading

  • Participation 20%
  • Lecture review 20%
  • Multimedia presentation (focused on an assigned reading) 25%
  • Footnotes analysis (of an assigned reading of your choice) 35%

NOTES:

Please note that detailed instructions will be uploaded onto Canvas to show you how to complete these assignments and you are required to read these before beginning your work.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All readings (required and recommended) will be circulated via Canvas. You do not need to purchase any textbooks for this course.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.