The Postcolonial Studies Group (PSG) is an inter-disciplinary student-run organization at the CUNY Graduate Center. We stage events loosely related to the field of postcolonial studies / transnational studies; this field encompasses both the study of the history, cultures, arts and literatures of postcolonial peoples, as well as theories of postcoloniality and of the transnational.
Our past events have included lectures and panels by CUNY and visiting scholars–students and faculty alike–as well as panel discussions, and film screenings. Each event also has a social component, since these events offer an opportunity for those working in various disciplines to come together, network, and consider working together in future.
We are open to GC students, though we also welcome the participation of all CUNY faculty and students, as well as those from other institutions. Our events have always been free of charge, and our only means of support thus far has been our DSC funds.
We maintain an active listserv with over 100 members; our active participants have included students in departments including English, Art History, History, Urban Education, Comparative Lit., Anthropology, Philosophy, Psychology and Theater.
In 2007 we held a summer reading group for the first time, in which students considered a number of short works of postcolonial theory. In the summer of 2008, we expanded this to three month-long groups examining one key text each. In 2009, the group convened for the summer, reading three major theoretical texts in the field over the course of three months.
In 2008 we introduced a monthly Postcolonial Studies Colloquium Series for 2008-2009. The colloquium series will continue for its second year in the Fall 2009 – Spring 2010 academic year.
Anyone who wishes to help organize our events is welcome, though currently the coordinators are CUNY GC English program students Fiona Lee, Lily Saint, and Ian Foster. For information on how to join our listserv PSG-L, click here.