SS7062 - Vulnerabilities and Risks (2023/24)
Module specification | Module approved to run in 2023/24 | ||||||||||||
Module title | Vulnerabilities and Risks | ||||||||||||
Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||
Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||||
School | School of Social Sciences and Professions | ||||||||||||
Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||||
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Assessment components |
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Running in 2023/24(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module serves as a central component in realising the Safeguarding and Security MA’s objective of enabling students to develop a critical awareness and appreciation of contested views of vulnerability and responses. It therefore complements core modules addressing modes of intervention, responsibility and institutionalisation of policies. In addition, the module conceptually informs students’ perspectives on methodological approaches to researching vulnerability and violence. The module invites students to develop a critically informed approach to categories of vulnerability and risk as an introduction to safeguarding policy and practice. The module traces the emergence of vulnerability and risk in social, cultural and political contexts encouraging students to understand their social construction in relation to broader social issues. The module equips students with a range of theoretical positions and concepts allowing sociological insight into the inter-subjective dynamics of risk and vulnerability. These include attention to dominant moralising agendas, societal influences, cross-cultural comparisons, the normalisation of abuse, precarity, and/or exploitation, and the implications of media representations of the vulnerable.
The module aims to:
• Explain the historical development of safeguarding measures in terms of social attitudes and welfare policy mechanisms.
• Provide the theoretical and conceptual tools as a basis for defining and measuring vulnerability and risk.
• Explore a range of tensions between the conceptualisation of vulnerability and the effective implementation of prevention policies.
• Study the nature of abuse/exploitation in relation to age, gender, social class and ethnicity.
• Develop a systematic understanding of the complex relationship between society and vulnerable groups.
Prior learning requirements
Study Abroad? YES
Syllabus
1. In-depth introduction to the political and cultural dimensions of vulnerability and the social construction of categories of risk. Key topics include the concept of vulnerability as a fundamental basis of human rights discourse; the political uses and abuses of vulnerability; and the tension between ideas of autonomy/agency and regulation/structure. (LO1; LO2; LO3; LO4)
2. Exploration of the ‘vulnerable self’ highlighting the contexts and responses to cases of self-neglect, self-harming and suicide. This topic draws attention to the alienating aspects of contemporary society in terms of the problems of age, identity, mental health and disability. This approach to vulnerability outlines theoretical implications of understanding the self as embedded in and constrained by social forces ranging from social marginalisation to hate crime. (LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5)
3. The sexual dimensions of risk explored through the phenomena of sexual grooming and sexual exploitation, and the cultural and gendered contexts surrounding female genital cutting, forced marriage, honour killings and breast ironing. Underlying themes point to the role of social media/ cyber abuse, and the tension between deeply embedded cultural repertoires and discourses of individual rights. (LO1;LO2;LO3)
4. Vulnerability and economic violence: a number of themes are addressed ranging from modern slavery and labour exploitation, the vulnerability of precarious migration, the exploitative nature of gambling and the risk of addiction, to scams and debt in the modern age. Central contexts to be highlighted are the implication of technological innovation and related capabilities, the variations of risk across age groups, and the consequences of social marginalisation. (LO1; LO2; LO3)
5. The relationship between vulnerability and criminalisation will be addressed in-depth by exploring the problem of vulnerable and marginalised young people pulled into crime. This topic invites students to develop a critical approach to questions of agency and vulnerability, deviant identities and questions of socio-economic inequality through case studies such as the example of ‘county lines’ drug dealing and the exploitation of the vulnerable. (LO1; LO2; LO5)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
This module is delivered on block. The teaching methods will include group work, lectures, guest lecture, workshops, and appraisal of audio-visual material. Recommended reading will be available to support each session. Additional electronic material and lecture notes will be made available via Weblearn.
Learning outcomes
LO1. Identify key themes and issues related to the conceptualisation of vulnerable groups.
LO2. Understand the significance of social contexts and norms in defining and responding to vulnerability.
LO3. Link ideas of citizenship and human rights to safeguarding frameworks.
LO4. Identify power dynamics at play in the categorisation of individuals/groups at risk.
LO5. Apply key explanatory frameworks and analyse current debate in relation to diverse cultural settings; Identify and employ the sociological concepts of agency and structure in debates.
Assessment strategy
Assessment consists of one in-class presentation and an essay.
For the 15 minute presentation students will chose one area category of vulnerability discussed on the module and explore the relevant concepts, construction and responses through a chosen case study.
A list of essay questions relating to module themes will be supplied at the start of the module.