Introductory description

This module proposes to explore the relationship between corporations, law, and colonialism. Specifically, it seeks to unpack the ways in which corporations both accompanied and reinforced colonialism and what role the law played in that history. While the module will predominantly discuss colonialism's historical dimension, it also endeavors to illuminate colonialism's ongoing legacies through the lens of corporate capitalism. The module will first examine the global history of colonialism. It will then turn to the colonial history of the United States as a case study. In doing so, it will examine the impacts of corporations upon Native American tribes.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The use of corporations to colonize distant places: Why and how.
The relationship between corporations and the state.
The law's role in the spread of corporate capitalism.
Taxation (including tax havens), colonialism, and corporations.
Colonization, corporations, and Native American tribes.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a broad and interdisciplinary knowledge of corporations' role in global and local colonial histories.
• Critically evaluate the law's role in cementing corporate capitalism and colonial impact.
• Undertake interdisciplinary research and critically read complex primary sources through the lens of colonialism.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the key and emerging secondary sources on the topic.
• Critically revisit the core theories of the corporate form.
• Develop an awaraness of corporations' impact upon Native American tribes.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Research element

Assessment will be an in-person, handwritten exam covering one or more of the module's topics.

Interdisciplinary

The module will draw on several disciplines: history, law, anthropology, geography, Native American and Indigenous studies. Thus, students will be free to choose how to write the essay and draw on a vast array of methodologies, sources, and writing styles.

Subject specific skills

Student will:

1. Know the core historiography on colonialism and corporations.
2. Be able to examine the corporate form critically (and discuss the related core theories) through the lens of colonialism.
3. Be able to conduct interdisciplinary and historical research on the topics taught in the module.
4. Acquire interdisciplinary knowledge of the corporate dimension of colonialism globally and in the United States (and how the latter relates to the case of Native American tribes).
5. Read and analyse a wide variety of historical primary sources that discuss corporations and colonialism, either directly or not.
6. Know and discuss corporations' role in colonial history/ies.

Transferable skills

Students will:

1. Know how to read complex literature from several disciplines, which will enhance their reading and writing skills.
2. Be used to think critically, specifically in the context of topics (that is, corporations) that do not seem, at first glance, to be connected to broader racial and socio-cultural issues. This will contribute to Warwick's law in context ethos. It will also enhance their critical thinking skills.
3. Be able to conduct independent research.
4. Hone their analytical skills by learning to resituate local phenomena within their broader environment and by learning to look for and identify global processes.