UK university’s axing of black studies MA has ‘dangerous parallel’ with US, says academic
Summary
Birmingham City University (BCU) plans to close its black studies MA program due to low enrollment. Kimberlé Crenshaw, a US civil rights scholar, warned this move reflects similar attacks on black studies programs in the United States and urged the university to keep the course.Key Facts
- BCU will stop offering the black studies MA from September after a review of its postgraduate courses.
- Only eight students are currently enrolled in the black studies MA program.
- The university closed its undergraduate black studies program earlier in 2024.
- Kimberlé Crenshaw described black studies as essential for understanding black history and experiences worldwide.
- Crenshaw said the closures in the UK mirror efforts in the US that threaten black studies.
- Academics and public figures have signed a letter asking BCU to reconsider closing the course.
- BCU said it is cutting some courses due to low demand but will let current students finish their studies.
- The university is talking to affected staff and looking for other ways to offer similar education.
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