Introduction to Black Studies

This Black Studies course will enhance the critical thinking. It aims to provide knowledge stripped of Eurocentric paradigms about people who are Black, their achievements and struggles. It uses an interdisciplinary approach to studying and understanding the experiences of the Black diaspora and people of African descent in the continent and across the Diaspora, and challenging social hierarchies. The course applies a critical race theory perspective to examine and discuss the principles of Black Studies, offer counter historical narratives to Black experiences, and explore contemporary forms of Blackness in the society and around the world. Students will learn about key thinkers in the Black diaspora, their theories and discussions of the experiences of Black people across the world. We will also examine events, movements and theories that have shaped the development of the African diaspora.

Why Choose Us?

In 2018 Dr Ebun Joseph, became the first to offer a Black Studies credit bearing module in any third level institution in Ireland. IABS is extending this pivotal course to reach people interested in educating themselves on the Black diaspora and tacking anti-Black racism in the workplace and society. In August, 20202, IABS also successfully offered a series of taster courses in Black Studies which were well attended with excellent feedback. Anti-Black racism is a global pandemic we can no longer hide from. The Institute of Antiracism and Black Studies IABS is focused on tackling anti-Black racism, transforming the Eurocentric curriculum and ensuring people with lived experience of racism and those categorised as Black are at the forefront of naming the changes they need to live an equal life like everyone. We have been instrumental in developing and teaching the first Black Studies module in Ireland. The Director of IABS, lecturers and guest presenters on the module are regularly invited to speak at student and staff organised events about decolonising the narrative, tackling anti-Black racism and the way the African continent and its descendants at home and in the diasporas are stereotyped. Presently, we have seen students petitioning their colleges and the state to introduce mandatory African and Black Studies in their schools. The response we have got makes it obvious there is a need for Black and African Studies.

• Principles of Black Studies: Community engagement, Culture and Nation
• Black Intellectual Thought
• Black Political Activism and movements
• State, Society, Social Policy and Social groups: Issues of Diversity and difference- contemporary and historical perspectives
• Introduction to Sociological Imagination, critical race theory, and social justice
• Intersecting stratifiers including gender, sexuality, religion and physical appearance
• Black art, literature, music and cinema
• Power, Inequality

This course will be well suited to those interested in building their knowledge, service providers, researchers, students who do not as at yet have access to such Black Studies modules, Human resource personnel, Management team, diversity and inclusion personnel, and people already in employment, those wanting to develop specialist knowledge and build on transferable skill sets which will boost their ability to work with a diverse team, tackle anti-Black racism, personal biases and stereotypes.

Anti-Black racism is a global pandemic we can no longer hide from. The Institute of Antiracism and Black Studies IABS is focused on tackling anti-Black racism, transforming the Eurocentric curriculum and ensuring people with lived experience of racism and being categorized as Black are at the forefront of naming the changes they need to live an equal life like everyone. We have been instrumental in developing and teaching the first Black Studies module in Ireland. Our Director and other lecturers on the module are regularly invited to speak at student and staff organised events about decolonising the narrative, anti-Black racism and the way the African continent and its descendants at home and in the diasporas are stereotyped. Presently, we have seen students petitioning their colleges and the state to introduce mandatory African and Black Studies in their schools. The response we have got makes it obvious there is a need for Black and African Studies.

Stream 1: Attendance and participation Group project and presentation

Stream 2: and an additional organisation based mini –project to address anti-Black racism. This stream involves completing the full programme with an organisation based project. Here participants will agree a project with their organisation. This will then be supervised by an IABS consultant. Project is to be developed