Modern World After Colonialism

What does it mean for the social sciences to take colonialism seriously – not just as an issue of the past, but in terms of its continuing consequences in the present? While calls to decolonize the curriculum are increasing, few resources show what this means in terms of the everyday categories and concepts of the social sciences. This textbook addresses that gap by rethinking key themes—migration, citizenship, inequality, and the environment—through a critical engagement with colonial histories.

Developed from the Connected Sociologies Curriculum Project (CSCP) and written by scholars committed to transforming their teaching and research, the book challenges long-standing assumptions and provides practical, classroom-ready resources. It enables teachers and students to approach familiar topics from new angles, opening space for more rigorous and inclusive debates.

Pedagogical and distinctive features include:

• Structured chapters with learning objectives, summaries, discussion questions, and reading lists;

• Thematic case studies that complement conceptual chapters;

• Links to rich digital resources, including videos and teaching tools from CSCP, Global Social Theory, and Discover Society;

• Ready-made materials adaptable for undergraduate and sixth-form teaching.

Together, they make an essential guide for anyone seeking to broaden the scope and depth of social science education.

Gurminder K. Bhambra is Professor of Historical Sociology at the University of Sussex.

Ipek Demir is Professor of Diaspora Studies at the University of Leeds.

Paul Robert Gilbert is Reader in Development, Justice and Inequality at the University of Sussex.

Su-ming Khoo is Senior Lecturer in Political Science and Sociology at the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Lucy Mayblin is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Sheffield.