Throwing BRICS at feminism: What could possibly go wrong?

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Dr. Tracey Nicholls was trained as a philosopher and has taught widely in philosophy, political theory, and women’s and gender studies. Her BA is from the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, and her PhD was granted by McGill University, in Montréal. Her first academic position was in the United States, followed by appointments at universities in Japan and New Zealand. Her most recent book is Dismantling Rape Culture: The Peacebuilding Power of ‘Me Too’ (available for free download through an open-access agreement), and she is currently directing a Te Apārangi | Royal Society of New Zealand-funded research project on online misogyny. The image associated with her is a cat named Chi Chi, with whom she has a ‘soul sister’ relationship that involves spending every Auckland Anniversary weekend together.

How this course works

Taking inspiration from the long history around the world of folk education, particularly the Scandinavian and Appalachian traditions, this course is designed to offer a fun, affordable and rigorous experience–that serves the needs of working adults. 

Like all folk education, liberation and movement building is at the core of the course. We save ourselves together–and we educate ourselves to build solidarity, share tactics, and create a shared vision for a better future for all of us. 

There’s no grades, no assessments, no credentials. 

This is about learning for the love of learning and the love of each other. 

In this course, you will encounter an approach to thinking about today’s political questions that stresses the skill-set of political thinking and theorising. Being a political theorist is something that can be learned by anyone interested in trying to make sense of their social world, and of worlds that haven’t been built yet. In addition to being introduced to questions of what happens, and to whom, when power relations shift, you will also be encouraged to take yourself seriously as a thinker and commentator on the politics of our time.

Course Objectives

• Understand the history of feminism (mostly told from the Global North, but with growing attention to critical voices from elsewhere), and the history of coalitions and common causes of BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa),
• Consider the struggles of each within a global community dominated by Global North power alliances (NATO, United Nations, IMF),Learn to speculate carefully and thoughtfully about future tensions and challenges for feminism in a BRICS-dominated future, and
• Learn to develop yourself as a political thinker within your own sphere of influence. 

Contact Info

Dr. Tracey Jane Nicholls (tracey.j.nicholls@gmail.com)

Session times

This class meets online once a week for activities, discussion, and guest lectures. If you can’t make it, we will seek consent from the group to record and share the lecture. 

• Friday afternoons we will release the pre-recorded lecture for the following week.
• Thursdays at 7:00-8:30 NZDT we will hold our Zoom session. These sessions will vary each week and include discussions, activities, and guest lecturers.
• If we have enough international interest we will seek to schedule a session that works for other time zones. 

Course Tools

• Zoom, links will be sent out via email shortly before each class session begins
• Email
• Signal (optional)

We will be offering an optional “tech support session” early in the course so that you can ask questions, get help with Signal, and try out the tech tools we will be using. 

Please come along if you need any help feeling comfortable with the tools we are using. If you aren’t comfortable with technology, please don’t worry! We will be happy to help you out and work to increase your comfort level. 

Model for Each Week and Expectations

Each week will include a ~20-minute pre-recorded lecture and a 90-minute Zoom class session to discuss the material and engage in hands-on activities related to the course material. 

We will also provide a list of resources including readings, podcasts, and videos for each week. You can choose to engage with these as we go along or save them for later. 

Our goal is to provide readings at a range of levels—if you struggle with reading or have other literacy barriers, you should still find plenty of learning material for you. You don’t have to be a reader to participate and we aim not to privilege those with better literacy skills.

You are good enough as you are.

Code of Conduct

Our goal is to create a vibrant and engaged learning community where we all prioritise learning and building relationships with each. This course and all Dark Times Academy classes and events aim to be accessible to all people regardless of age, disability, sexuality, background, religion, gender or ethnicity.

A respectful, open attitude towards others is expected from all. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and may result in your removal from the course. 

Life is hard enough as it is; leading with kindness and patience is key to a great learning experience, one that ensures all members feel welcomed.

Anxiety, Busyness, and Stress

Doing an online course on top of your full-time job, care responsibilities, and other life stuff is really hard. It’s ok to fall behind! Please don’t let anxiety or stress lead you to avoid engaging or cause you to feel inadequate. 

Do your best, it will be good enough. Ask for help if you need it. We are always happy to support you as best we can. 

Accessibility

Please email Person with any accessibility needs. We are happy to work together to make this class work for you 

Content Warnings

The nature of this topic means that we will occasionally discuss material that includes upsetting topics. We will do our best to warn you ahead of time when this is likely to happen. Please feel free to do what you need to do to protect your well-being. 

Your health and mental well-being should always be your first priority and we will always respect that. 

Course Dates

Week	Topic	Presenter	Lecture Release	Discussion
1	History, Framing, and How We Got Here	Tracey Nicholls		Session 1: 18 November 2024 19:00 NZDT
2	What ‘Here’ Looks Like, and Where We Might Be Headed	Tracey Nicholls and Guest Lecturer(s)		Session 2: 19 November 202419:00 NZDT
3	What Could Possibly Go Wrong? What Could Go Right?	Tracey Nicholls		Session 3: 20 November 2024 19:00 NZDT
4	Can We Centre the Global South without BRICS? What Role Might Indigenous Thinking Play?	Tracey Nicholls and Guest Lecturer(s)		Session 4: 21 November 202419:00 NZDT

Register here.