Black Irish University Students Advocating for a taught ‘Black Studies’ Module

The African and Caribbean Society and Cumann Staire (History Society) at the University of Galway (UG) Republic of Ireland are calling on the University to introduce a ‘Black Studies’ elective, taught by a Black academic, to the pool of available modules at the University.

Underpinning their advocacy and call, is the gaping absence of any substantive dedication to the bountiful academic, intellectual, and philosophical contributions of Black people from across the world in the academic corpus of the University; with students of African and Caribbean descent usually having to settle for reading texts in which their cultural story is told by people who don’t share in their cultural background. This the students note is not good enough for a modern, diverse academic institution, therefore a Black Studies module would be a major step in the right direction, in correcting this anomaly – and in allowing for students, no matter their race, to have a better cultural understanding of their peers from diverse backgrounds.

The University of Galway is ranked in the top 2% of universities across the world, alongside renowned institutions such as Harvard University, and University of Oxford; both of which share in the fact that they have a Black Studies module. At home in Ireland, the University of Galway is amongst the best academic institutions in the country, in community with universities such as Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin; two of these institutions being ones that also offer a Black Studies module.

We believe it is imperative for the University, considering its calibre and its self-proclaimed ‘international’ character, to offer a Black Studies module to its diverse range of students. This will go a long way in enlightening students about the long line of academic contributions from great Black figures, Black history, and the cultures of various Black communities; minimise the potential of ignorance-inspired prejudice arising; and reflect the values that the University has committed to in its Race Equality Framework and Action Plan.’