module specification

Accusations of racism and ethnic discrimination are seemingly everywhere, in the workplace, in the streets, in everyday interactions. You will wonder what is exactly meant by racism and ethnicity, whether this are beliefs about racial and ethnic subordination or it is rather found in social interactions. This module addresses various theories of racism and ethnic discrimination, and critically assess the challenges revolving around the political and social hostile environment against racialised minorities in specific, socio-political contexts in the UK. This module goes beyond the Eurocentric ideas that have dominated sociological thinking and will apply more-diverse and -inclusive theoretical frameworks to the interconnectedness among issues of race, ethnicity, social class, gender, age, drawing on the principles of social justice and empowerment.

Aims. This module will provide key skills and knowledge that will enable you to:

• Analyse critically key concepts including racism and ethnicity as well anti-racism, multiculturalism, Islamophobia in order to develop an awareness of their contested nature.
• Look at these issues in the hostile environment against racialised groups, exploring the meanings ascribed to these terms, historical origins and key examples where these issues have been or remain important in shaping contemporary British society.
• Consider the impact of racist and ethnic discrimination on specific groups, including women, religious and ethnic groups.

Available for Study Abroad? YES

This module will first introduce you to key on race and racial and ethnic discrimination, integration, tolerance versus acceptance, multiculturalism and settlement. You will then be introduced to the big challenges around the hostile political environment against migrants in the UK, the ways in which some communities are racialised and classified shaping the so-called social order, national security and welfare system. Drawing on the notions of integration and multiculturalism, among others, you will then look to ethnic mobilisation, ‘Race relations’ and community relations in Britain. Drawing on an intersectional perspective, you will finally be explained about the main challenges for keeping the spirit of “multi-ethnic London” and its representation in popular culture, social and news media.

Learning and teaching will develop in weekly three-hour sessions face-to-face, consisting of a weekly lecture followed by exercises and reflexive discussion in seminars. Seminars will be informed by reading and seminar questions for discussion in small groups and with the whole group. Learning will be supported by the module Weblearn site with all teaching materials – reading, video materials, recorded lectures and assessment details. Students will use a variety of teaching materials, including a wide range of relevant research, including reports, newspaper articles, video materials and links to relevant websites.

This module will encourage students to reflect on the content explained in class and in particular the benefits of going beyond the Eurocentric ideas that have dominated sociological thinking for many years and will apply more-diverse and -inclusive approach to the intersection among issues of race, ethnicity, drawing on the principles of social justice, human rights and empowerment. Reflective activities thus will be encouraged through class-based activities, including debate and discussion on the topics explained.

Lecture notes and seminar exercises will be uploaded prior to the session and will be used as the initial basis for addressing a theme. Yet, students will be encouraged to go beyond these prior each session to make the most of it. Moreover, students will be advised to engage fully with feedback opportunities on both assessments which will help them reflect and develop their learning.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to understand and do after completing the process of learning:

• LO1: Identify and describe key concepts, debates and controversies surrounding racism and ethnicity.
• LO2: Be able to analyse contemporary and historical examples of how these concepts play a significant part in shaping the hostile environment against migrants as well as social order.
• LO3: Understand a range of contemporary/historical issues where racism or ethnicity have played important parts in shaping the social order and to utilise their own knowledge and experience to illuminate these discussions.

There are two pieces of coursework for this module.

1. A 500-words article review, worth 20%, exploring and evaluating key concepts and theories over hostile environment against racialised communities in Britain. The article can be chosen either from the reading list in the module or an article of the student’s own choice in agreement with the module leader. The review will need to be uploaded via Turnitin.

2. A 2,500-word essay, worth 80%, which requires students to critically consider a contemporary debate or issue in a specific theme explained in class. Students can choose their theme from a list of essays uploaded in Weblearn.

The assessment criteria for the essays will be discussed in detail in class, and will expect the student to show their understanding of theories, concepts, and debates; apply these concepts to case studies; convey arguments cogently, using their own thoughts, analysis and wording; support all claims and assertions with evidence, drawing from readings and case studies examined in the module; engage in use of appropriate academic sources and reference as assigned; and write with due regard to syntax, grammar, and expected academic standards.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/8261ACBE-CA75-0E56-E2B3-9DB7BC5D1A20.html?lang=en&login=1