Continuing our work with all colleagues and students to bring about cultural change for the better at Westminster, we are focusing on a new initiative named Union Black: Britain’s Black Cultures and steps to anti-racism'.
The announcement also arrives during Black History Month, which forms part of Westminster’s broader Black History Year to showcase the stories, events and initiatives that reflect the richness of the University.
About the course:
This course will provide learners with an understanding of the origins and experience of Black British history and culture, and a critical appreciation of the concepts of intersectionality and race as a social construct, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to make positive change happen.
The course will celebrate, and provide personal insights into, the lived experience of Black British history and culture, by looking beyond the commonplace narratives (for example, of slavery and oppression) to positive and affirming stories of the role and impact of Black people, from Tudor times to today. Also, intended to respect and affirm Black British history, culture and experience, while giving tools and confidence to all learners to choose to become anti-racist. Learners will leave the course with new agency and the knowledge and tools to make positive change happen.
In September a show case took place for this new initiative. You can view a recording of this session via the YouTube link here.
The initiative builds on the University’s Black Lives Matter commitment plan to ensure an actively anti-racist, inclusive and safe environment for all of its community to study and work in.
Talking about the course Professor Alexandra Hughes, co-chair of the University’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee said:
"Attention to equality, equity, diversity and inclusion is central to who we are at Westminster. We are delighted to be partnering with Santander Universities UK to bring this ground-breaking programme to the University, and wish all its participants well for their learning. We would like to ask colleagues to draw the programme to their students’ and colleagues’ attention so that as many as possible can participate."
Who can attend
Union Black is open to all colleagues and students.
We expect it will be of particular interest to teaching and support colleagues, lecturers, and university colleagues and management.
Who is running the programme
With our Universities continued partnership with Santander, Santander Universities UK’s mission is to support students from diverse backgrounds into university, work, and self-employment. Collaborating with a large network of university partners.
Santander Universities UK has partnered with The Open University and FutureLearn, a digital education platform, to create an educational learning programme for colleagues and students from all UK Universities.
What is involved
Are you prepared to be challenged? Do you have around six to twelve hours to complete? Designed by The Open University, this course is intended to support colleagues and students to increase their understanding of Black British history, race, and racism, and how individuals can make a positive difference.
Learners will be able to complete the course in their own time on the FutureLearn platform and will receive a digital certificate upon completion.
The course is designed to enable learners to:
- appreciate and explain the outlines of Black British history
- understand the concepts of intersectionality and social construction of race
- critically investigate and question narratives of race, racism, non-racist and anti-racist
- develop confidence and agency, and practical tools and skills, to enable learners to choose to be anti-racist, challenge bias and create allyship.
Course will cover:
- Black British history and culture and the social construction of race
- Exploring the importance of anti-racist agenda and intersectionality
- Creating agency and becoming a catalyst for change .
Timeline
The course will run-in twice-yearly cohorts for the next three years.
Learners can start the course at any point during each cohort period and complete the six hours of content in their own time as long as they finish by 3 December 2021 (if they have signed up to the first cohort) or 8 April 2022 (if they have signed up to the second cohort).
How do I apply?
Learners will first need to apply via the Santander Scholarship Platform. If you meet the eligibility criteria you will receive an email from FutureLearn with the link to join the course within 24 hours*.
*Please note that if learners register on a Friday or over a weekend, they will receive the email from FutureLearn the following Monday.
Contact
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact [email protected]
