RacialCRIT
Multimedia Platform for a Critical Race Pedagogy
Based on the results of the POLITICS (ERC) e COMBAT (FCT) projects, this project aims to develop a teaching methodology for knowledge transfer through an innovative syllabus in the form of a Multimedia Platform for Critical Racial Pedagogy (RacialCRIT). It provides for the implementation of a critical study plan on “race”, racism and anti-racism based on the realities of Portugal and Brazil. The Platform will have the potential for transferability and applicability in 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle courses at Portuguese and Brazilian universities in various areas of the Social, Educational and Legal Sciences, and the Humanities, e.g. Sociology, Political Science, International Relations, Education Sciences, History, Journalism, Law or Communication.
The construction and open access availability of the RacialCRIT Platform will have an impact on three strategic fronts of educational policies in higher education:
a) Quality curriculum development in areas of study with little presence in compulsory subjects in the first cycle of higher education in the Social Sciences and Humanities in Portugal: critical studies and theories of “race”, studies on anti-racism as a force of social, political and legal transformation, and the development of conceptual tools and empirical analysis of racial discrimination do not have an autonomous presence in higher education curricula. RacialCRIT will offer annotated bibliographic materials, practical exercises, materials for legislative and public policy analysis, and materials produced by grassroots organisations, popular education and social movements with the capacity to configure a consistent study plan on these themes, transferable to various subjects. Thus, the Platform will provide processes for mainstreaming the study of racism and anti-racism in Social Sciences and Humanities curricula, in dialogue with contexts in the global North and South, promoting the interrelation between research and teaching, as well as the acquisition of knowledge about the ethical principles that should guide scientific research in the social sciences and humanities.
b) Implementation of innovative pedagogical methodologies: following the recommendations of the EU's Digital Education Action Plan (2021-2027), the Platform will promote the critical use of digital information and communication technologies (DICT) not as a complement, but as technologies integrated with those considered traditional (e.g. written text). Classroom teaching methodologies will be integrated with participatory, peer-learning methodologies that foster reflexivity, critical thinking and the development of theoretical and conceptual tools. Thus, the Platform will present a study plan in dialogue with Critical Race Pedagogy, Critical Race Theory and Critical Communication Theory.
c) Accessibility of pedagogical resources that support the implementation of protocols for promoting ethnic-racial equality and anti-racist education in the field of Citizen Science: higher education institutions are implementing plans and protocols to promote equality, diversity and combat ethnic-racial discrimination. This is the case in Portugal, particularly at the University of Coimbra, which in 2021 launched its Plan for Equality, Equity and Diversity 2019-2024, which includes among its strategic lines the promotion of ‘policies for the inclusion and protection of minorities and combating harassment and violence at all levels’. In this context, RacialCRIT offers access to quality training on racial discrimination and key concepts in public policy and legislation, which will provide tools for students to participate in an informed manner in university governance and debate processes.
Funding Entity: CENTRO 2030. Sistema de Apoio à Criação de Conhecimento Científico e Tecnológico (SACCCT) – Projetos de Provas de Conceito
Thematic Line: DemoJUST – Democracy, Justice and Human Rights
