diff --git a/common/lib/symmath/symmath/formula.py b/common/lib/symmath/symmath/formula.py
index 56996b78eb..199b5aea1d 100644
--- a/common/lib/symmath/symmath/formula.py
+++ b/common/lib/symmath/symmath/formula.py
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ class formula(object):
                 if (
                         tag == 'msup' and
                         len(k) == 2 and gettag(k[1]) == 'mrow' and
-                        gettag(k[1][0]) == 'mo' and k[1][0].text == u'\u200b'  # whew
+                        gettag(k[1][0]) == 'mo' and k[1][0].text == '\u200b'  # whew
                 ):
 
                     # replace the msup with 'X__Y'
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ class formula(object):
                 if (
                         tag == 'msubsup' and
                         len(k) == 3 and gettag(k[2]) == 'mrow' and
-                        gettag(k[2][0]) == 'mo' and k[2][0].text == u'\u200b'    # whew
+                        gettag(k[2][0]) == 'mo' and k[2][0].text == '\u200b'    # whew
                 ):
 
                     # replace the msubsup with 'X_Y__Z'
diff --git a/common/test/acceptance/fixtures/course.py b/common/test/acceptance/fixtures/course.py
index bf469e8c50..ff7045f386 100644
--- a/common/test/acceptance/fixtures/course.py
+++ b/common/test/acceptance/fixtures/course.py
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ class CourseFixture(XBlockContainerFixture):
             'children': None,
             'data': handouts_html,
             'id': self._handouts_loc,
-            'metadata': dict(),
+            'metadata': {},
         })
 
         response = self.session.post(url, data=payload, headers=self.headers)
diff --git a/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/video/video.py b/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/video/video.py
index 68f2f85068..ed7b2030c6 100644
--- a/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/video/video.py
+++ b/common/test/acceptance/pages/studio/video/video.py
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ class VideoComponentPage(VideoPage):
         """
         Download handout at `url`
         """
-        kwargs = dict()
+        kwargs = {}
         session_id = [{i['name']: i['value']} for i in self.browser.get_cookies() if i['name'] == 'sessionid']
         if session_id:
             kwargs.update({
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/badges/backends/badgr.py b/lms/djangoapps/badges/backends/badgr.py
index 09773b3823..7569c41a2a 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/badges/backends/badgr.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/badges/backends/badgr.py
@@ -302,7 +302,7 @@ class BadgrBackend(BadgeBackend):
         Headers to send along with the request-- used for authentication.
         """
         access_token = self._get_access_token()
-        return {'Authorization': u'Bearer {}'.format(access_token)}
+        return {'Authorization': 'Bearer {}'.format(access_token)}
 
     def _ensure_badge_created(self, badge_class):
         """
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/api.py
index 8939e6e805..fac9823b22 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/certificates/api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/certificates/api.py
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ def get_certificate_footer_context():
     Return data to be used in Certificate Footer,
     data returned should be customized according to the site configuration.
     """
-    data = dict()
+    data = {}
 
     # get Terms of Service and Honor Code page url
     terms_of_service_and_honor_code = branding_api.get_tos_and_honor_code_url()
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/course_api/forms.py b/lms/djangoapps/course_api/forms.py
index 7111039bf6..94fb34fde6 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/course_api/forms.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/course_api/forms.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ class CourseListGetForm(UsernameValidatorMixin, Form):
         cleaned_data = super().clean()
 
         # create a filter for all supported filter fields
-        filter_ = dict()
+        filter_ = {}
         for supported_filter in self.supported_filters:
             if cleaned_data.get(supported_filter.param_name) is not None:
                 filter_[supported_filter.field_name] = cleaned_data[supported_filter.param_name]
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py
index ac2de79d2e..bee106a483 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/module_render.py
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ def toc_for_course(user, request, course, active_chapter, active_section, field_
         if course_module is None:
             return None, None, None
 
-        toc_chapters = list()
+        toc_chapters = []
         chapters = course_module.get_display_items()
 
         # Check for content which needs to be completed
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ def toc_for_course(user, request, course, active_chapter, active_section, field_
             if chapter.hide_from_toc or local_hide_from_toc:
                 continue
 
-            sections = list()
+            sections = []
             for section in chapter.get_display_items():
                 # skip the section if it is hidden from the user
                 if section.hide_from_toc:
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tabs.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tabs.py
index fa27e3fd69..b851e625ad 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tabs.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tabs.py
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ class SingleTextbookTab(CourseTab):
             """ Constructs a link for textbooks from a view name, a course, and an index. """
             return reverse_func(view_name, args=[str(course.id), index])
 
-        tab_dict = dict()
+        tab_dict = {}
         tab_dict['name'] = name
         tab_dict['tab_id'] = tab_id
         tab_dict['link_func'] = link_func
@@ -393,10 +393,10 @@ def _get_dynamic_tabs(course, user):
     Note: dynamic tabs are those that are not persisted in the course, but are
     instead added dynamically based upon the user's role.
     """
-    dynamic_tabs = list()
+    dynamic_tabs = []
     for tab_type in CourseTabPluginManager.get_tab_types():
         if getattr(tab_type, "is_dynamic", False):
-            tab = tab_type(dict())
+            tab = tab_type({})
             if tab.is_enabled(course, user=user):
                 dynamic_tabs.append(tab)
     dynamic_tabs.sort(key=lambda dynamic_tab: dynamic_tab.name)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_course_info.py b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_course_info.py
index 30b9cd6f9b..04977b62d9 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_course_info.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/courseware/tests/test_course_info.py
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ class CourseInfoTitleTestCase(LoginEnrollmentTestCase, ModuleStoreTestCase):
 
     @ddt.data(
         # Default site configuration shows course number, org, and display name as subtitle.
-        (dict(),
+        ({},
          "Welcome to HogwartsX's Potions101!", "Introduction to Potions"),
 
         # Show org in title
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/edxnotes/helpers.py b/lms/djangoapps/edxnotes/helpers.py
index ae9cf7d7f6..70b26d8041 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/edxnotes/helpers.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/edxnotes/helpers.py
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ def preprocess_collection(user, course, collection):
     # pylint: disable=too-many-statements
 
     store = modulestore()
-    filtered_collection = list()
+    filtered_collection = []
     cache = {}
     include_path_info = ('course_structure' not in settings.NOTES_DISABLED_TABS)
     with store.bulk_operations(course.id):
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/grades/rest_api/v1/tests/test_gradebook_views.py b/lms/djangoapps/grades/rest_api/v1/tests/test_gradebook_views.py
index b0bc83369e..b97c192cc1 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/grades/rest_api/v1/tests/test_gradebook_views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/grades/rest_api/v1/tests/test_gradebook_views.py
@@ -1383,7 +1383,7 @@ class GradebookViewTest(GradebookViewTestBase):
     def test_filter_course_roles(self, excluded_course_roles):
         """ Test that excluded_course_roles=all filters out any user with a course role """
         # Create test users, enroll them in the course, and give them roles.
-        role_user_usernames = dict()
+        role_user_usernames = {}
         course_roles_to_create = [
             CourseInstructorRole,
             CourseStaffRole,
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
index fc2647ce3b..78efa9f098 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/views/api.py
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ def create_and_enroll_user(email, username, name, country, password, course_id,
 
     :return: list of errors
     """
-    errors = list()
+    errors = []
     try:
         with transaction.atomic():
             # Create a new user
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_integration.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_integration.py
index f2035e3037..daf1a93ef9 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_integration.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_integration.py
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ class TestRescoringTask(TestIntegrationTask):
         )
 
     @ddt.data(
-        RescoreTestData(edit=dict(), new_expected_scores=(2, 1, 1, 0), new_expected_max=2),
+        RescoreTestData(edit={}, new_expected_scores=(2, 1, 1, 0), new_expected_max=2),
         RescoreTestData(edit=dict(correct_answer=OPTION_2), new_expected_scores=(2, 1, 1, 2), new_expected_max=2),
     )
     @ddt.unpack
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks_helper.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks_helper.py
index b152bd8106..7420dfa9d5 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks_helper.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/tests/test_tasks_helper.py
@@ -1778,7 +1778,7 @@ class TestGradeReport(TestReportMixin, InstructorTaskModuleTestCase):
             metadata={'graded': True, 'format': 'Homework', 'start': in_the_future},
             display_name='Unreleased'
         )
-        self.define_option_problem(u'Unreleased', parent=self.unreleased_section)
+        self.define_option_problem('Unreleased', parent=self.unreleased_section)
 
     @patch.dict(settings.FEATURES, {'DISABLE_START_DATES': False})
     @ddt.data(True, False)
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/program_enrollments/api/reading.py b/lms/djangoapps/program_enrollments/api/reading.py
index 47ee586201..39442ce6e0 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/program_enrollments/api/reading.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/program_enrollments/api/reading.py
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ def get_users_by_external_keys_and_org_key(external_user_keys, org_key):
         ProviderDoesNotExistsException
     """
     saml_providers = get_saml_providers_by_org_key(org_key)
-    found_users_by_external_keys = dict()
+    found_users_by_external_keys = {}
     # if the same external id exists in multiple providers (for this organization)
     # it is expected both providers return the same user
     for saml_provider in saml_providers:
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/teams/csv.py b/lms/djangoapps/teams/csv.py
index 8ba93a0d15..f794d92e22 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/teams/csv.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/teams/csv.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def _lookup_team_membership_data(course):
     team_membership_data = []
     for course_enrollment in course_enrollments:
         # This dict contains all the user's team memberships keyed by teamset
-        student_row = teamset_memberships_by_user.get(course_enrollment.user, dict())
+        student_row = teamset_memberships_by_user.get(course_enrollment.user, {})
         student_row['user'] = _get_displayed_user_identifier(course_enrollment)
         student_row['mode'] = course_enrollment.mode
         team_membership_data.append(student_row)
@@ -131,11 +131,11 @@ def _group_teamset_memberships_by_user(course_team_memberships):
             per user represented in input
         }
     """
-    teamset_memberships_by_user = dict()
+    teamset_memberships_by_user = {}
     for team_membership in course_team_memberships:
         user = team_membership.user
         if user not in teamset_memberships_by_user:
-            teamset_memberships_by_user[user] = dict()
+            teamset_memberships_by_user[user] = {}
         topic_id = team_membership.team.topic_id
         team_name = team_membership.team.name
         teamset_memberships_by_user[user][topic_id] = team_name
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/teams/views.py b/lms/djangoapps/teams/views.py
index 5358d67ae1..b6ece3c3f0 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/teams/views.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/teams/views.py
@@ -808,7 +808,7 @@ class TeamsDetailView(ExpandableFieldViewMixin, RetrievePatchAPIView):
         """DELETE /api/team/v0/teams/{team_id}"""
         team = get_object_or_404(CourseTeam, team_id=team_id)
         self.check_object_permissions(request, team)
-        # Note: list() forces the queryset to be evualuated before delete()
+        # Note: [] forces the queryset to be evualuated before delete()
         memberships = list(CourseTeamMembership.get_memberships(team_ids=[team_id]))
 
         # Note: also deletes all team memberships associated with this team