def METHOD_NAME(self, course=None, user=None):
    """Create a course updates block."""
    user = user or self.user
    course = course or self.course
    updates_usage_key = get_course_info_usage_key(course, 'updates')
    course_updates = modulestore().create_item(
        user.id,
        updates_usage_key.course_key,
        updates_usage_key.block_type,
        block_id=updates_usage_key.block_id
    )
    course_updates.data = ''
    return course_updates