What is woke and is it a threat to free speech



Overview

Recently there has been a lot of disagreement about ‘woke’ culture, with some arguing that this has led to a loss of free speech. On this short course we will consider the arguments on these issue.

One question to consider is what people mean by ‘woke.’ We will look at the history of the idea and how it shifted from advice between African Americans to being used as a pejorative label. This history is useful, but our substantive question is whether free speech is coming under attack. In order to consider this question we will look at the arguments for free speech, particularly those presented by John Stuart Mill.

Despite the arguments for free speech and concerns about suppression, most liberal states do restrict speech to some degree. We will consider issues such as hate speech laws and other arguments for government restrictions on speech. However, anti-woke campaigners are not only concerned about government restrictions on speech. There are also concerns about no-platforming and cancel culture, and these will be the focus of the course discussions.

Join this short course in Oxford to find out more about and share your views on these political debates.

Programme details

Courses starts: 30 Sep 2025

Week 1: What is woke? A history of a concept
              Do ideas harm or oppress people?

Week 2: Examples of uses of the term woke
              Is “woke” the new word for “political correctness”?

Week 3: What is the value of free speech?

Week 4: What are the arguments against free expression?
              Is there a right to a platform?

Week 5: Cancel culture? How might “woke” threaten free speech?

Certification

Digital badge

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be issued with an official digital badge from the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download your digital badge. You will be able to add your badge to your email signature and share it on social media if you choose to do so. In order to be issued with your badge, you will need to have attended at least 80% of the course.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee £180.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Doug Bamford

Doug Bamford is lecturer in Lifelong Learning (Political Philosophy) at OUDCE, teaching courses in philosophy and political economy. His main interest is in political philosophy and its application to public policy, particularly taxation. He obtained his PhD in 2013 and became an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) in 2023. He is author of Rethinking Taxation (Searching Finance, 2014) and several papers (including articles in the Journal of Applied Philosophy, Moral Philosophy and Politics, Problema, and Think). He blogs at Doug Bamford's Tax Appeal.

Course aims

Course aims:

  • To introduce students to debates about woke and how it might threaten free speech.
  • To give students good knowledge and understanding of key texts and arguments on the subject of free speech.
  • To give students practice in the analysis and critical assessment of arguments.

Course objectives:

  • Gain an understanding of the nature of debates referencing woke and the arguments for free speech and limits on speech.
  • Be able to assess the relationship between views on ‘woke’ and free speech.
  • Present and defend their own views on these issues.

Teaching methods

Students will be asked to read one or two relevant texts each week before class. Classroom sessions will consist of a mixture of activities including active lecturing, student presentations, small group discussion and open debate.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

1. have a knowledge and understanding of debates about woke, free speech and cancel culture.

2. have learnt how to pick out and assess arguments regarding the above topics.

3. have gained confidence in expressing and discussing ideas in open debate.

Assessment methods

This course is non-accredited, so there are no assessments.

Application

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at first year undergraduate level.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support