diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/helpers.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/helpers.py
index 435d562862..7faa9a9a70 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/helpers.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/helpers.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 """
 Test helpers for the course experience.
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 from datetime import timedelta
 
 from django.core.exceptions import ObjectDoesNotExist
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_dates.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_dates.py
index 1df810ec55..36f0f9e577 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_dates.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_dates.py
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 """
 Tests for course dates fragment.
 """
-from datetime import timedelta, datetime
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+
+import six
 from django.urls import reverse
 
 from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
@@ -9,7 +13,6 @@ from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import ModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory
 
-
 TEST_PASSWORD = 'test'
 
 
@@ -32,7 +35,7 @@ class TestCourseDatesFragmentView(ModuleStoreTestCase):
         self.dates_fragment_url = reverse(
             'openedx.course_experience.mobile_dates_fragment_view',
             kwargs={
-                'course_id': unicode(self.course.id)
+                'course_id': six.text_type(self.course.id)
             }
         )
 
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_home.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_home.py
index ba9730a022..1afebcc2c2 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_home.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_home.py
@@ -2,40 +2,43 @@
 """
 Tests for the course home page.
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 
 import ddt
 import mock
+import six
 from django.conf import settings
-from django.urls import reverse
 from django.http import QueryDict
+from django.urls import reverse
 from django.utils.http import urlquote_plus
 from django.utils.timezone import now
 from pytz import UTC
 from waffle.models import Flag
 from waffle.testutils import override_flag
 
-from django_comment_common.models import (
-    FORUM_ROLE_ADMINISTRATOR,
-    FORUM_ROLE_MODERATOR,
-    FORUM_ROLE_GROUP_MODERATOR,
-    FORUM_ROLE_COMMUNITY_TA
-)
-from django_comment_client.tests.factories import RoleFactory
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
 from course_modes.tests.factories import CourseModeFactory
 from courseware.tests.helpers import get_expiration_banner_text
+from django_comment_client.tests.factories import RoleFactory
+from django_comment_common.models import (
+    FORUM_ROLE_ADMINISTRATOR,
+    FORUM_ROLE_COMMUNITY_TA,
+    FORUM_ROLE_GROUP_MODERATOR,
+    FORUM_ROLE_MODERATOR
+)
 from experiments.models import ExperimentData
 from lms.djangoapps.commerce.models import CommerceConfiguration
 from lms.djangoapps.commerce.utils import EcommerceService
 from lms.djangoapps.course_goals.api import add_course_goal, remove_course_goal
 from lms.djangoapps.courseware.tests.factories import (
-    InstructorFactory,
-    StaffFactory,
     BetaTesterFactory,
-    OrgStaffFactory,
-    OrgInstructorFactory,
     GlobalStaffFactory,
+    InstructorFactory,
+    OrgInstructorFactory,
+    OrgStaffFactory,
+    StaffFactory
 )
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.content.course_overviews.models import CourseOverview
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.dark_lang.models import DarkLangConfig
@@ -44,15 +47,15 @@ from openedx.core.djangoapps.waffle_utils.testutils import WAFFLE_TABLES, overri
 from openedx.features.course_duration_limits.config import EXPERIMENT_DATA_HOLDBACK_KEY, EXPERIMENT_ID
 from openedx.features.course_duration_limits.models import CourseDurationLimitConfig
 from openedx.features.course_experience import (
+    COURSE_ENABLE_UNENROLLED_ACCESS_FLAG,
     SHOW_REVIEWS_TOOL_FLAG,
     SHOW_UPGRADE_MSG_ON_COURSE_HOME,
-    UNIFIED_COURSE_TAB_FLAG,
-    COURSE_ENABLE_UNENROLLED_ACCESS_FLAG,
+    UNIFIED_COURSE_TAB_FLAG
 )
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
 from util.date_utils import strftime_localized
-from xmodule.course_module import COURSE_VISIBILITY_PRIVATE, COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC_OUTLINE, COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC
+from xmodule.course_module import COURSE_VISIBILITY_PRIVATE, COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC, COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC_OUTLINE
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.django_utils import CourseUserType, ModuleStoreTestCase, SharedModuleStoreTestCase
 from xmodule.modulestore.tests.factories import CourseFactory, ItemFactory, check_mongo_calls
@@ -89,7 +92,7 @@ def course_home_url(course):
     Arguments:
         course (CourseDescriptor): The course being tested.
     """
-    return course_home_url_from_string(unicode(course.id))
+    return course_home_url_from_string(six.text_type(course.id))
 
 
 def course_home_url_from_string(course_key_string):
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_outline.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_outline.py
index 9f89403a30..6b7266c5c3 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_outline.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_outline.py
@@ -1,17 +1,23 @@
 """
 Tests for the Course Outline view and supporting views.
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 import datetime
 import json
 import re
 
+import six
 from completion import waffle
 from completion.models import BlockCompletion
 from completion.test_utils import CompletionWaffleTestMixin
 from django.contrib.sites.models import Site
-from django.urls import reverse
 from django.test import override_settings
+from django.urls import reverse
+from milestones.tests.utils import MilestonesTestCaseMixin
 from mock import Mock, patch
+from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey, UsageKey
+from pyquery import PyQuery as pq
 from six import text_type
 from waffle.models import Switch
 from waffle.testutils import override_switch
@@ -19,13 +25,11 @@ from waffle.testutils import override_switch
 from courseware.tests.factories import StaffFactory
 from gating import api as lms_gating_api
 from lms.djangoapps.course_api.blocks.transformers.milestones import MilestonesAndSpecialExamsTransformer
-from milestones.tests.utils import MilestonesTestCaseMixin
-from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey, UsageKey
 from openedx.core.lib.gating import api as gating_api
 from openedx.features.course_experience.views.course_outline import (
-    CourseOutlineFragmentView, DEFAULT_COMPLETION_TRACKING_START
+    DEFAULT_COMPLETION_TRACKING_START,
+    CourseOutlineFragmentView
 )
-from pyquery import PyQuery as pq
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 from student.tests.factories import UserFactory
 from xmodule.modulestore import ModuleStoreEnum
@@ -212,7 +216,7 @@ class TestCourseOutlinePageWithPrerequisites(SharedModuleStoreTestCase, Mileston
             gating_block: (The prerequisite) The block that must be completed to get access to the gated block
         """
 
-        gating_api.add_prerequisite(self.course.id, unicode(gating_block.location))
+        gating_api.add_prerequisite(self.course.id, six.text_type(gating_block.location))
         gating_api.set_required_content(self.course.id, gated_block.location, gating_block.location, 100)
 
     def test_content_locked(self):
@@ -362,7 +366,7 @@ class TestCourseOutlineResumeCourse(SharedModuleStoreTestCase, CompletionWaffleT
         """
         course_key = CourseKey.from_string(str(course.id))
         # Fake a visit to sequence2/vertical2
-        block_key = UsageKey.from_string(unicode(sequential.location))
+        block_key = UsageKey.from_string(six.text_type(sequential.location))
         completion = 1.0
         BlockCompletion.objects.submit_completion(
             user=self.user,
@@ -595,7 +599,7 @@ class TestCourseOutlinePreview(SharedModuleStoreTestCase):
         masquerade_url = reverse(
             'masquerade_update',
             kwargs={
-                'course_key_string': unicode(course.id),
+                'course_key_string': six.text_type(course.id),
             }
         )
         response = self.client.post(
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_sock.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_sock.py
index a2992cf638..78d2ca3f10 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_sock.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_sock.py
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 Tests for course verification sock
 """
 
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 import ddt
 
 from course_modes.models import CourseMode
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_updates.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_updates.py
index 41f5f8932f..19cbee92f2 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_updates.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_course_updates.py
@@ -1,10 +1,14 @@
 """
 Tests for the course updates page.
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 from datetime import datetime
 
-from courseware.courses import get_course_info_usage_key
+import six
 from django.urls import reverse
+
+from courseware.courses import get_course_info_usage_key
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.waffle_utils.testutils import WAFFLE_TABLES
 from openedx.features.content_type_gating.models import ContentTypeGatingConfig
 from openedx.features.course_experience.views.course_updates import STATUS_VISIBLE
@@ -28,7 +32,7 @@ def course_updates_url(course):
     return reverse(
         'openedx.course_experience.course_updates',
         kwargs={
-            'course_id': unicode(course.id),
+            'course_id': six.text_type(course.id),
         }
     )
 
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_welcome_message.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_welcome_message.py
index 4d908e7cca..5253444bf6 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_welcome_message.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/tests/views/test_welcome_message.py
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 """
 Tests for course welcome messages.
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 import ddt
+import six
 from django.urls import reverse
 
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
@@ -23,7 +26,7 @@ def welcome_message_url(course):
     return reverse(
         'openedx.course_experience.welcome_message_fragment_view',
         kwargs={
-            'course_id': unicode(course.id),
+            'course_id': six.text_type(course.id),
         }
     )
 
@@ -35,7 +38,7 @@ def latest_update_url(course):
     return reverse(
         'openedx.course_experience.latest_update_fragment_view',
         kwargs={
-            'course_id': unicode(course.id),
+            'course_id': six.text_type(course.id),
         }
     )
 
@@ -47,7 +50,7 @@ def dismiss_message_url(course):
     return reverse(
         'openedx.course_experience.dismiss_welcome_message',
         kwargs={
-            'course_id': unicode(course.id),
+            'course_id': six.text_type(course.id),
         }
     )
 
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_dates.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_dates.py
index 5c634144fe..d272c037da 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_dates.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_dates.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 """
 Fragment for rendering the course dates sidebar.
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 from django.http import Http404
 from django.template.loader import render_to_string
 from django.utils.translation import get_language_bidi
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_home.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_home.py
index a8ac5536ad..e740fd8cc5 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_home.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_home.py
@@ -2,9 +2,12 @@
 Views for the course home page.
 """
 
-from django.urls import reverse
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
+import six
 from django.template.context_processors import csrf
 from django.template.loader import render_to_string
+from django.urls import reverse
 from django.utils.decorators import method_decorator
 from django.views.decorators.cache import cache_control
 from django.views.decorators.csrf import ensure_csrf_cookie
@@ -23,17 +26,20 @@ from lms.djangoapps.course_goals.api import (
 )
 from lms.djangoapps.courseware.exceptions import CourseAccessRedirect
 from lms.djangoapps.courseware.views.views import CourseTabView
+from openedx.core.djangoapps.content.course_overviews.models import CourseOverview
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.plugin_api.views import EdxFragmentView
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.util.maintenance_banner import add_maintenance_banner
-from openedx.core.djangoapps.content.course_overviews.models import CourseOverview
-from openedx.features.course_experience.course_tools import CourseToolsPluginManager
 from openedx.features.course_duration_limits.access import generate_course_expired_fragment
+from openedx.features.course_experience.course_tools import CourseToolsPluginManager
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 from util.views import ensure_valid_course_key
-from xmodule.course_module import COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC_OUTLINE, COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC
+from xmodule.course_module import COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC, COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC_OUTLINE
 
 from .. import (
-    LATEST_UPDATE_FLAG, SHOW_UPGRADE_MSG_ON_COURSE_HOME, USE_BOOTSTRAP_FLAG, COURSE_ENABLE_UNENROLLED_ACCESS_FLAG
+    COURSE_ENABLE_UNENROLLED_ACCESS_FLAG,
+    LATEST_UPDATE_FLAG,
+    SHOW_UPGRADE_MSG_ON_COURSE_HOME,
+    USE_BOOTSTRAP_FLAG
 )
 from ..utils import get_course_outline_block_tree, get_resume_block
 from .course_dates import CourseDatesFragmentView
@@ -43,7 +49,6 @@ from .course_sock import CourseSockFragmentView
 from .latest_update import LatestUpdateFragmentView
 from .welcome_message import WelcomeMessageFragmentView
 
-
 EMPTY_HANDOUTS_HTML = u'<ol></ol>'
 
 
@@ -68,7 +73,7 @@ class CourseHomeView(CourseTabView):
         return USE_BOOTSTRAP_FLAG.is_enabled(course.id)
 
     def render_to_fragment(self, request, course=None, tab=None, **kwargs):
-        course_id = unicode(course.id)
+        course_id = six.text_type(course.id)
         home_fragment_view = CourseHomeFragmentView()
         return home_fragment_view.render_to_fragment(request, course_id=course_id, **kwargs)
 
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_home_messages.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_home_messages.py
index 3edce019e9..655fb14092 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_home_messages.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_home_messages.py
@@ -2,16 +2,22 @@
 View logic for handling course messages.
 """
 
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 from datetime import datetime
 
 from babel.dates import format_date, format_timedelta
-from course_modes.models import CourseMode
-from courseware.courses import get_course_date_blocks, get_course_with_access
 from django.contrib import auth
 from django.template.loader import render_to_string
 from django.utils.http import urlquote_plus
 from django.utils.translation import get_language, to_locale
 from django.utils.translation import ugettext as _
+from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
+from pytz import UTC
+from web_fragments.fragment import Fragment
+
+from course_modes.models import CourseMode
+from courseware.courses import get_course_date_blocks, get_course_with_access
 from lms.djangoapps.course_goals.api import (
     get_course_goal,
     get_course_goal_options,
@@ -21,13 +27,10 @@ from lms.djangoapps.course_goals.api import (
 )
 from lms.djangoapps.course_goals.models import GOAL_KEY_CHOICES
 from lms.djangoapps.courseware.courses import allow_public_access
-from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.plugin_api.views import EdxFragmentView
 from openedx.core.djangolib.markup import HTML, Text
 from openedx.features.course_experience import CourseHomeMessages
-from pytz import UTC
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
-from web_fragments.fragment import Fragment
 from xmodule.course_module import COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC
 
 
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_outline.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_outline.py
index d63ce19411..f97b01972e 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_outline.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_outline.py
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 """
 Views to show a course outline.
 """
-import re
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 import datetime
+import re
 
 from completion import waffle as completion_waffle
 from django.contrib.auth.models import User
@@ -16,12 +18,11 @@ from web_fragments.fragment import Fragment
 from courseware.courses import get_course_overview_with_access
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.plugin_api.views import EdxFragmentView
 from student.models import CourseEnrollment
-
 from util.milestones_helpers import get_course_content_milestones
 from xmodule.course_module import COURSE_VISIBILITY_PUBLIC
 from xmodule.modulestore.django import modulestore
-from ..utils import get_course_outline_block_tree, get_resume_block
 
+from ..utils import get_course_outline_block_tree, get_resume_block
 
 DEFAULT_COMPLETION_TRACKING_START = datetime.datetime(2018, 1, 24, tzinfo=UTC)
 
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_reviews.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_reviews.py
index 11ae627d10..5fac94e7c1 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_reviews.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_reviews.py
@@ -1,20 +1,23 @@
 """
 Fragment for rendering the course reviews panel
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
+import six
 from django.conf import settings
 from django.contrib.auth.decorators import login_required
-from django.urls import reverse
 from django.template.loader import render_to_string
+from django.urls import reverse
 from django.utils.decorators import method_decorator
 from django.views.decorators.cache import cache_control
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 from web_fragments.fragment import Fragment
 
 from courseware.courses import get_course_with_access
-from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 from lms.djangoapps.courseware.views.views import CourseTabView
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.plugin_api.views import EdxFragmentView
 from openedx.features.course_experience import default_course_url_name
+from student.models import CourseEnrollment
 
 from .. import USE_BOOTSTRAP_FLAG
 
@@ -38,7 +41,7 @@ class CourseReviewsView(CourseTabView):
         return USE_BOOTSTRAP_FLAG.is_enabled(course.id)
 
     def render_to_fragment(self, request, course=None, tab=None, **kwargs):
-        course_id = unicode(course.id)
+        course_id = six.text_type(course.id)
         reviews_fragment_view = CourseReviewsFragmentView()
         return reviews_fragment_view.render_to_fragment(request, course_id=course_id, **kwargs)
 
@@ -55,7 +58,7 @@ class CourseReviewsFragmentView(EdxFragmentView):
         course_key = CourseKey.from_string(course_id)
         course = get_course_with_access(request.user, 'load', course_key, check_if_enrolled=False)
         course_url_name = default_course_url_name(course.id)
-        course_url = reverse(course_url_name, kwargs={'course_id': unicode(course.id)})
+        course_url = reverse(course_url_name, kwargs={'course_id': six.text_type(course.id)})
 
         is_enrolled = CourseEnrollment.is_enrolled(request.user, course.id)
 
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_sock.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_sock.py
index 461a0616c1..7d73db331b 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_sock.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_sock.py
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 """
 Fragment for rendering the course's sock and associated toggle button.
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 from django.template.loader import render_to_string
 from web_fragments.fragment import Fragment
 
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_updates.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_updates.py
index b385ba2ad7..e6a417fbc5 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_updates.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/course_updates.py
@@ -1,12 +1,15 @@
 """
 Views that handle course updates.
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 from datetime import datetime
 
+import six
 from django.contrib.auth.decorators import login_required
 from django.template.context_processors import csrf
-from django.urls import reverse
 from django.template.loader import render_to_string
+from django.urls import reverse
 from django.utils.decorators import method_decorator
 from django.views.decorators.cache import cache_control
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
@@ -70,7 +73,7 @@ class CourseUpdatesView(CourseTabView):
         return USE_BOOTSTRAP_FLAG.is_enabled(course.id)
 
     def render_to_fragment(self, request, course=None, tab=None, **kwargs):
-        course_id = unicode(course.id)
+        course_id = six.text_type(course.id)
         updates_fragment_view = CourseUpdatesFragmentView()
         return updates_fragment_view.render_to_fragment(request, course_id=course_id, **kwargs)
 
@@ -86,7 +89,7 @@ class CourseUpdatesFragmentView(EdxFragmentView):
         course_key = CourseKey.from_string(course_id)
         course = get_course_with_access(request.user, 'load', course_key, check_if_enrolled=True)
         course_url_name = default_course_url_name(course.id)
-        course_url = reverse(course_url_name, kwargs={'course_id': unicode(course.id)})
+        course_url = reverse(course_url_name, kwargs={'course_id': six.text_type(course.id)})
 
         ordered_updates = get_ordered_updates(request, course)
         plain_html_updates = ''
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/latest_update.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/latest_update.py
index 765760761d..c70b154c15 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/latest_update.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/latest_update.py
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ this fragment dismisses the message for a limited time so new updates
 will continue to appear, where the welcome message gets permanently
 dismissed.
 """
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
 from django.template.loader import render_to_string
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 from web_fragments.fragment import Fragment
diff --git a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/welcome_message.py b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/welcome_message.py
index f9be8070e2..5edcf5d7e2 100644
--- a/openedx/features/course_experience/views/welcome_message.py
+++ b/openedx/features/course_experience/views/welcome_message.py
@@ -2,17 +2,21 @@
 View logic for handling course welcome messages.
 """
 
-from django.urls import reverse
+from __future__ import absolute_import
+
+import six
 from django.http import HttpResponse
 from django.template.loader import render_to_string
+from django.urls import reverse
 from django.views.decorators.csrf import ensure_csrf_cookie
 from opaque_keys.edx.keys import CourseKey
 from web_fragments.fragment import Fragment
 
-from course_updates import get_ordered_updates
 from courseware.courses import get_course_with_access
 from openedx.core.djangoapps.plugin_api.views import EdxFragmentView
-from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.course_tag.api import set_course_tag, get_course_tag
+from openedx.core.djangoapps.user_api.course_tag.api import get_course_tag, set_course_tag
+
+from .course_updates import get_ordered_updates
 
 PREFERENCE_KEY = 'view-welcome-message'
 
@@ -34,7 +38,7 @@ class WelcomeMessageFragmentView(EdxFragmentView):
             return None
 
         dismiss_url = reverse(
-            'openedx.course_experience.dismiss_welcome_message', kwargs={'course_id': unicode(course_key)}
+            'openedx.course_experience.dismiss_welcome_message', kwargs={'course_id': six.text_type(course_key)}
         )
 
         context = {