Brighton University has launched Britain's first undergraduate degree in woke politics, opening applications through Clearing this week for careers in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The three-year BA in Politics, Sexuality and Gender costs £9,790 annually. While many similar postgraduate degrees exist and are often self-funded, this is thought to be the first undergraduate course of its kind.
According to the official Clearing website, the course most commonly takes students with CCD grades but has historically taken those with grades as low as DDE. School-leavers will be able to apply for taxpayer-funded student loans for the course, accruing up to £50,000 in debt that will only be fully repaid if they end up being high earners.
The course listing says it prepares youngsters for a range of meaningful careers in equality, diversity and inclusion, also known as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and working for the public and third sector.
Course curriculum and module options
The official Clearing listing says the degree places sexuality and gender at the heart of political study, taking an inclusive and intersectional approach with a decolonised approach that covers everything from anarchism to imperialism to environmental politics.
Students will explore feminist, queer and trans politics while being introduced to historical and contemporary struggles around sexuality and gender. The listing adds that students will dive into critical issues like reproductive politics, trans rights, and the rise of anti-gender movements, exploring them through feminist, queer and trans theory.
Teaching takes place through the lens of global challenges, with vital issues including climate change, sustainability, equality and inclusivity embedded across teaching. Its decolonised approach to teaching and learning emphasises lived experience, recognising that knowledge is held in communities, not only in academic institutions.
Compulsory modules for the course include Unruly Bodies: Understanding and Contesting Normativity, and Gender, Race and the Environment. Optional ones include Queer Writing; Neoliberalism, Imperialism and Resistance; Radical Political Economy and Anarchist Politics; Politics of the Right; and Colonialism, Capitalism and Climate Crisis.
Lecturers are described as internationally recognised on issues such as populism, gender studies, the Middle East, environmentalism and migration. Tutors say students will be prepared to shape the sexual politics of the future in a city with a reputation for radical, environmental and LGBTQI+ activism, featuring placements with local feminist and LGBTQI+ groups to provide real-world experience. The only guest speakers from political parties listed on its website are Caroline Lucas, former Green party leader, and Sue Shanks, local Green Councillor.
Course leader statement and political context
Dr Jo Kellond, course leader, said on the course website: "With hard-won equalities under threat around the world, there has never been a better time to study the relationship between sexuality, gender and politics."
Dr Jo Kellond added: "Attacks on reproductive and LGBTQIA+ rights have moved to the centre of political discourse. At the same time, exciting social movements are fighting for equality."
Dr Jo Kellond stated: "Anyone concerned about sexual politics - and who wants to make a difference - should apply for this course." Tutors say the unique course is for anyone who wants to make a difference.
Criticism from education and campaign groups
Critics blasted the course as political radicalisation and woke gobbledegook. Last night, a Free Speech Union spokesman said: "Brighton must be truly desperate to offer a degree course in woke gobbledegook. Even students getting DDE in their A-levels aren't dumb enough to fork out over £9,790 a year to listen to a local, pink-haired activist lecture them about their 'lived experience'."
Stephanie Davies-Arai of Transgender Trend said: "This course is essentially training young people to be trans activists. It is a political radicalisation course. It will create a bubble of reinforcement for young people with already entrenched views who don't want to face reality and can't tolerate difference of opinion. It will make them unemployable outside the rarefied world of DEI."
Chris McGovern, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: "DEI is a growth industry and the university is cashing in. It is a fake degree that will not be taken seriously by many potential employers. Places on the course will be filled by less able and more gullible school leavers. They deserve better. These students would be much better off pursuing vocational training."
Brighton University declined to comment.
