On 21 June 1948 the Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury. On board was a large group of predominantly young men from Jamaica seeking new lives, jobs and adventure in Britain. We will consider the push and pull factors which made the thought of relocating to Britain attractive. The passengers had made a considerable emotional investment in migrating and a not inconsiderable financial investment. The passage cost £28 on the troopdeck and £48 cabin class. What was Britain like in 1948? How did those early migrants fare on arrival? What sort of welcome did they find? (Spoiler - it was very mixed). Britain today is very different to 1948. We will consider the contribution the Windrush arrivals (and their successors) made to making the Britain that we now know.
Course aim
Prompted by Black History Month this course will explore why the arrival of the Empire Windrush in June 1948 was such a significant event in the development of Britain's Black Caribbean community and more widely in post-war British social history.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is for a group of around 15 students studying in a live video-learning platform conference and an online digital learning environment platform from the comfort of your own home.
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- No skills or experience needed
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Explain the push and pull factors which prompted Windrush passengers to book their passage.
- Describe the first impressions of the new arrivals in terms of jobs, accommodation and meeting the locals.
- Explain the challenges faced in becoming established in a new country.
- Describe the contribution made to the development of British society since those early days.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- You will also need access to the internet outside of your sessions. You could do this using a smart phone, tablet, laptop or a desktop computer (at home or through a library etc.).
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
- There is a selection of books available describing the first hand experiences of the 'Windrush generation.' Whilst not essential, you may find it useful to read one or more of these. There is a great deal of information available on the internet.
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
- Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
Download full course information sheet
