Postcolonial Theory “Teaching Postcolonial IR Theory in the Margins: Experiences from Three Young Scholars in Brazil”

This chapter delves into the transformative experiences of three scholars teaching Postcolonial International Relations (IR) Theories in the Global South. The chapter details their endeavors to introduce courses on these perspectives, especially amidst the rise of fascism in Brazil. It argues that decolonizing IR requires dismantling the pedagogical structures rooted in colonial knowledge transmission. Drawing on Freire's concepts, the chapter advocates for a dual approach—resistance from within the field and an external struggle against the banking education system. The authors reject a singular definition of Postcolonial Theory, embracing its diverse theoretical possibilities while emphasizing its overarching goal of dismantling Eurocentrism. Coloniality, explored through Quijano, Mignolo, and Grosfóguel’s lenses, emerges as a crucial aspect. The chapter concludes by presenting teaching tools aimed at helping students explore and apply Postcolonial Theory without reducing it to simplistic interpretations.