Anti-Racism in Teaching and Learning
Exploring whiteness, intersectionality, and racism as a system of oppression within postsecondary teaching and learning
Program overview
The Anti-Racism in Teaching and Learning badge explores whiteness, intersectionality, and racism as a system of oppression within postsecondary teaching and learning to help participants develop an anti-racist lens in their pedagogy. Using critical race theory as a conceptual framework, participants will examine anti-racist pedagogies by interrogating the role of whiteness in perpetuating oppression, followed by applied learning around decentering whiteness and taking an explicitly anti-racist approach to course development and design.
Fall 2023 registration is now closed.
Course start date and introduction
Date and time: Tuesday Sept. 19, 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Facilitators: Dr. Fouzia Usman & Dr. Heather Jaminckzy
Understanding the Power Dynamics within whiteness
Date and time: Tuesday Sept. 26, 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Facilitators: Dr. Shirley Steinberg
Anti-Black Racism in Post-secondary Education
Date and time: Tuesday Oct. 10, 12 – 1 p.m.
Facilitators: Dr. Patrina Duhaney
Anti-Asian Racism in Post-secondary education
Date and time: Tuesday Oct. 24, 12 – 1 p.m.
Facilitators: Dr. Hieu Ngo
Islamophobia in post-secondary education
Date and time: Tuesday Nov. 7, 12 – 1 p.m.
Facilitators: Dr. Fouzia Usman
Wrap-up/Closing
Date and time: Tuesday Nov 21, 12 – 1 p.m.
Facilitators: Dr. Fouzia Usman & Dr. Heather Jaminckzy
Program details
This badge is open to course instructors at the University of Calgary with at least five years of teaching experience in general at the postsecondary level, as of August 31, 2023.
Participants must also have completed the online Anti-racism, EDI and Positionality learning module at the Taylor Institute by August 31, 2023.
This is first-time offering with limited registration. Instructors are encouraged to submit an expression of interest for the fall 2023 cohort. Individuals will be notified by Sept. 4 if they are participating this year.
By completing the required elements, participants can qualify for the Anti-Racism in Teaching and Learning Badge. Requirements include:
- Participation in the program, in person and online
- Develop a course plan or learning activity using an anti-racist framework (capstone)
- Successful completion of all modules
By the end of this badge, you will be able to:
- Describe the role of whiteness and white privilege in upholding structural racism in postsecondary education.
- Identify examples of anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism, and Islamophobia in postsecondary education
- Develop strategies to implement anti-racist pedagogy that specifically targets anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism and Islamophobia in your teaching and learning context
- Articulate how to decenter whiteness in the curriculum
Module 1: Calling out Whiteness (co-facilitated by Dr. Fouzia Usman and Dr. Heather Jamniczky; guest speaker Dr. Shirley Steinberg)
Through this module, participants will be introduced to critical race theory and other related concepts such as whiteness, white supremacy, racism as a system of oppression and how it manifests in the postsecondary environment. Along with exposure to theory and literature, participants will engage in relevant discussions to explore how whiteness perpetuates harm in the post-secondary teaching environment, giving rise to different forms of racism.
Number of hours: 8
Mode of delivery: Two face-to-face sessions and asynchronous sessions via D2L
Module 2: Anti-Black Racism (Facilitated by Dr. Patrina Duhaney)
This module will focus on Anti-Black racism and ways to combat that in the teaching and learning environment. Further details to follow.
Number of Hours: 3
Mode of delivery: One face-to-face session followed by asynchronous engagement via D2L
Module 3: Anti-Asian Racism (Facilitated by Dr. Hieu Ngo)
This module will focus on Anti-Asian racism and ways to combat that in the teaching and learning environment. Further details to follow.
Number of Hours: 3
Mode of delivery: One face-to-face session followed by asynchronous engagement via D2L
Module 4: Islamophobia (Facilitated by Dr. Fouzia Usman)
This module will focus on Islamophobia and ways to combat that in the teaching and learning environment. Further details to follow
Number of Hours: 3
Mode of delivery: One face-to-face session followed by asynchronous engagement via D2L
Capstone Project:
Participants will be asked to develop a course plan or learning activity specific to their context, chosen in consultation with the instructors, using an anti-racist framework.
Number of Hours: 3
Instructors
Dr. Fouzia Usman, Dr. Heather Jamniczky, Dr. Shirley Steinberg, Dr. Patrina Duhaney, Dr. Hieu Ngo
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why do I need 5 years of teaching experience to participate in this badge program?
This badge is second level offering and requires participants to be involved in course design, course outline creation and be actively teaching in their career. For those interested in beginning their professional development in anti-racism, we encourage you to complete the self-paced, online learning module, Anti-Racism, EDI and Positionality.
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Why are there so few spots in the badge program?
Due to the complexity of the topic and the face-to-face classes for this badge, the registration is limited to ensure safe spaces for discussion, exploration and challenging conversations about racism, whiteness, and intersectionality.
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How many cohorts will you run in the program?
We hope to have a cohort each academic year for this badge, depending on interest and instructor availability.
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Will there be a waiting list?
If we reach capacity for the fall 2023 cohort, we will retain expressions of interest for future consideration or if someone is unable to participate as planned.
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I can’t participate in person. Can I still be a part of this badge?
Unfortunately, no. This badge requires 7.5 hours of face-to-face instruction, as well as asynchronous D2L engagement and a capstone project, for completion.
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Why is anti-racism an important topic in teaching and learning?
The need for anti-racism pedagogy in postsecondary learning is becoming increasingly important, as student demographics continue to change. BIPOC students may feel overlooked, ignored, or experience racism in their own university career. The need for instructors to better support students within their own cultural contexts is critical for a positive and beneficial student experience.
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How is this different than other EDI workshops?
Anti-racism and critical race theory require regular and consistent self-examination and active participation to oppose systems of oppression, like racism. This work is challenging, intensive and can be considered an ongoing practice, instead of a one-time learning.
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Why should I use an anti-racism lens in my pedagogy?
Anti-racism and critical race theory are essential for faculty development in post-secondary institutions. While anti-racist materials and strategies can be thought of as tools, instructors are the catalysts for change in their student spaces, to create more inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for everyone.