COM2614
Assignment 3 Portfolio Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 24 May 2025
PART A: REFLEXIVE JOURNAL ENTRY 1
Topic: Decolonising the Museum (TED Talk: “Museum in Progress: Decolonizing
Museums”)
Date: [Insert current date]
A. Initial Reactions
After watching the TED Talk on decolonising museums, I felt both challenged and inspired.
The speaker brought attention to how museums, which are often seen as neutral spaces of
learning, are actually shaped by colonial histories and power structures. It made me realise
that many objects on display were taken from colonised countries and communities without
consent, and this reality has been hidden under the idea of "preservation." I had never really
questioned the origins of artefacts in museums before, and now I see how the storytelling
within those spaces often centres Western perspectives.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
INTRODUCTION
This portfolio is a collection of my learning journey through the COM2614 module,
which focused on decolonising communication studies. It includes my weekly
reflexive journal entries, discussion forum activities, and a final semester synthesis.
Throughout this module, I was encouraged to think critically about how power,
history, and culture influence communication. The journal allowed me to reflect on
my own identity, cultural background, and the ways I have understood
communication up until now. I explored how colonial ideas still shape knowledge and
media practices, and I engaged with alternative perspectives from the Global South.
This process challenged many of my assumptions and helped me grow personally
and academically. The activities in this portfolio helped me connect theory to real-
world issues, while the synthesis allowed me to track my development over time.
This portfolio represents not only what I have learned but how I have changed as a
communicator and thinker.
PART A: REFLEXIVE JOURNAL ENTRY 1
Topic: Decolonising the Museum (TED Talk: “Museum in Progress: Decolonizing
Museums”)
Date: [Insert current date]
A. Initial Reactions
After watching the TED Talk on decolonising museums, I felt both challenged and
inspired. The speaker brought attention to how museums, which are often seen as
neutral spaces of learning, are actually shaped by colonial histories and power
structures. It made me realise that many objects on display were taken from
colonised countries and communities without consent, and this reality has been
hidden under the idea of "preservation." I had never really questioned the origins of
artefacts in museums before, and now I see how the storytelling within those spaces
often centres Western perspectives.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
What challenged my thinking most was the idea that simply adding a diverse exhibit
is not enough—it’s about who controls the narrative. This connected to my own
experience growing up in a country where African heritage was often seen as less
valuable than Western culture. This video made me reflect on how communication is
not only about words but also about the systems and spaces where stories are told.
B. Critical Analysis
This talk challenges Western communication paradigms by exposing how museums
communicate history from a colonial viewpoint. Traditional museum practices often
focus on categorising and displaying artefacts as "discoveries," ignoring the colonial
violence behind how many of those objects were acquired. It reinforces the idea that
knowledge is held and shared only by those in power—usually from the Global
North.
The speaker offered an alternative perspective where museums become sites of
justice and accountability. This aligns with decolonial thinking, which values
knowledge created by and for the communities being represented. The idea that
museums can become places for healing and relationship-building, rather than just
storage spaces, was powerful.
Colonial history plays a key role here. Many museums were established during
colonial times and served to glorify the empire’s achievements. These histories
continue to shape how knowledge is presented and whose voices are heard. For
instance, artefacts from Africa are displayed in European museums with little or no
connection to the cultures they came from.
The assumptions being questioned here include the belief that museums are
objective and neutral, and that Western ways of preserving and presenting
knowledge are the only valid ones. The TED Talk pushes back against these ideas,
showing that knowledge can be co-created with communities, not just taken from
them. It encourages a shift from ownership to responsibility, which is central to
decolonial approaches.
Assignment 3 Portfolio Semester 1 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 24 May 2025
PART A: REFLEXIVE JOURNAL ENTRY 1
Topic: Decolonising the Museum (TED Talk: “Museum in Progress: Decolonizing
Museums”)
Date: [Insert current date]
A. Initial Reactions
After watching the TED Talk on decolonising museums, I felt both challenged and inspired.
The speaker brought attention to how museums, which are often seen as neutral spaces of
learning, are actually shaped by colonial histories and power structures. It made me realise
that many objects on display were taken from colonised countries and communities without
consent, and this reality has been hidden under the idea of "preservation." I had never really
questioned the origins of artefacts in museums before, and now I see how the storytelling
within those spaces often centres Western perspectives.
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
INTRODUCTION
This portfolio is a collection of my learning journey through the COM2614 module,
which focused on decolonising communication studies. It includes my weekly
reflexive journal entries, discussion forum activities, and a final semester synthesis.
Throughout this module, I was encouraged to think critically about how power,
history, and culture influence communication. The journal allowed me to reflect on
my own identity, cultural background, and the ways I have understood
communication up until now. I explored how colonial ideas still shape knowledge and
media practices, and I engaged with alternative perspectives from the Global South.
This process challenged many of my assumptions and helped me grow personally
and academically. The activities in this portfolio helped me connect theory to real-
world issues, while the synthesis allowed me to track my development over time.
This portfolio represents not only what I have learned but how I have changed as a
communicator and thinker.
PART A: REFLEXIVE JOURNAL ENTRY 1
Topic: Decolonising the Museum (TED Talk: “Museum in Progress: Decolonizing
Museums”)
Date: [Insert current date]
A. Initial Reactions
After watching the TED Talk on decolonising museums, I felt both challenged and
inspired. The speaker brought attention to how museums, which are often seen as
neutral spaces of learning, are actually shaped by colonial histories and power
structures. It made me realise that many objects on display were taken from
colonised countries and communities without consent, and this reality has been
hidden under the idea of "preservation." I had never really questioned the origins of
artefacts in museums before, and now I see how the storytelling within those spaces
often centres Western perspectives.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
What challenged my thinking most was the idea that simply adding a diverse exhibit
is not enough—it’s about who controls the narrative. This connected to my own
experience growing up in a country where African heritage was often seen as less
valuable than Western culture. This video made me reflect on how communication is
not only about words but also about the systems and spaces where stories are told.
B. Critical Analysis
This talk challenges Western communication paradigms by exposing how museums
communicate history from a colonial viewpoint. Traditional museum practices often
focus on categorising and displaying artefacts as "discoveries," ignoring the colonial
violence behind how many of those objects were acquired. It reinforces the idea that
knowledge is held and shared only by those in power—usually from the Global
North.
The speaker offered an alternative perspective where museums become sites of
justice and accountability. This aligns with decolonial thinking, which values
knowledge created by and for the communities being represented. The idea that
museums can become places for healing and relationship-building, rather than just
storage spaces, was powerful.
Colonial history plays a key role here. Many museums were established during
colonial times and served to glorify the empire’s achievements. These histories
continue to shape how knowledge is presented and whose voices are heard. For
instance, artefacts from Africa are displayed in European museums with little or no
connection to the cultures they came from.
The assumptions being questioned here include the belief that museums are
objective and neutral, and that Western ways of preserving and presenting
knowledge are the only valid ones. The TED Talk pushes back against these ideas,
showing that knowledge can be co-created with communities, not just taken from
them. It encourages a shift from ownership to responsibility, which is central to
decolonial approaches.
