MSc in Social Justice and Community Action Course ... · SPGSC-Paper D (iv)-290114 1 MSc in Social...

SPGSC-Paper D (iv)-290114

1

MSc in Social Justice and Community Action Course Descriptors (New courses only)

(Revised January 2014)

Course Title

Theories and Politics of Social Justice

Course Outline

School School of Education College Humanities and Social Science

Course type Standard Availability To all students

Credit level (Normal year taken)

SCQF Level 11 Credits 20

Home subject area

Education Other subject area

None

Course website

To follow Taught in Gaelic?

No

Course

description

Social justice is a deeply contested concept and this course will explore the competing ways in which it is defined, theorised and operationalised in local, national and international contexts. Students will be encouraged to think critically and expansively about the nature of social justice by considering its foundational claims and the historical and contemporary disputes that have shaped the development of this idea.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)

Pre-

requisites

None Co-requisites None

Prohibited

Combinations

None Other

requirements

None

Additional

Costs

None

Information for Visiting Students

Pre-

requisites

None


2

Displayed

in Visiting

Students

Prospectus?

Yes

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course students will be able to:

Analyse and critique the core concepts of social justice, e.g. fairness, liberty,

equality, recognition, redistribution, solidarity, participation and democracy

Critically compare and contrast competing conceptualisations and standpoints

regarding social justice

Consider different manifestations of injustice and critically evaluate competing

approaches for addressing injustices in local and global contexts

Assessment Information

Example of indicative tasks:

Task 1: (50%) Via the students’ private blog, students are required to blog about their

reflections on the relationship between set course readings, lectures, group discussions

and contemporary examples of social (in)justice a minimum of 3-4 times per week for

12 weeks. Students will then choose 5-7 of their posts to submit for assessment. Student

blogging forms the basis of the formative assessment and part of the summative

assessment for this course.

Task 2: (50%) Essay (2,000 words) In consultation with the course organiser, students

will devise their own essay question related to an aspect of the theory and politics of

social justice covered on the course.

Special Arrangements

None

Additional Information

Academic

description

Not entered

Syllabus What is social justice?

Why does social justice matter?

Understanding distributive justice

Introduction to justice as recognition

Competing approaches to the application of social justice principles in


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local, national and international contexts

Transferable

skills

Critical analysis, oral and written communication skills, accessing

research materials

Reading list Indicative reading list:

Davis, A.Y. (1981) Women, Race and Class. London: The Women’s Press. Fanon, F. (2008) Black Skin, White Masks. London: Pluto. Fraser, N. (2010) Scales of Justice: Reimagining Political Space in a Globalizing World. New York: Columbia University Press. Hall, S., Massey, D. and Rustin, M. (eds) (2013) After Neoliberalism? The Kilburn Manifesto. London: Lawrence and Wishart Books. hooks, b. (2006) Outlaw Culture: Resisting Representations. London: Routledge. Rawls, J. (1999) A Theory of Justice. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Said, E. (1994) Culture and Imperialism. London: Vintage. Sandel, M. (2009) Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Sen, A. (2010) The Idea of Justice. London: Penguin. Soja, E.W. (2010) Seeking Spatial Justice. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Young, I. M. (1990) Justice and Politics of Difference. Princeton: Princeton

University Press.

Study

Abroad

Not entered

Study

Pattern

Not entered

Keywords social justice, equality, solidarity, participation, democracy, citizenship

Contacts

Course

organiser

Dr. Akwugo Emejulu Tel: +44 131 650 4167 Email: [email protected]

Course

secretary

TBC

Tel: Email:


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Course Title

Community Action and Social Justice

Course Outline





Home subject area


None

Course website


No

Course

description

Because of the contested natures of both ‘social justice’ and ‘community’,

grassroots activists and practitioners face significant dilemmas in the

application of social justice principles to real world contexts. This course

aims to introduce students to some of the key theoretical frameworks,

models and methods for applying social justice ideas and principles to

activism and practice in community-based settings. Through this course,

students will have the opportunity to consider and critique the viability,

sustainability and ethics of particular approaches to community action.


Pre-

requisites


Prohibited

Combinations

None Other

requirements

None

Additional

Costs

None


Pre-

requisites

None


5

Displayed

in Visiting

Students

Prospectus?

Yes



Analyse the conceptual and methodological dimensions of ‘community action’

e.g., power, activism, citizenship, participation and public space

Critically evaluate the differing strategies, methods and practices for applying

social justice ideas and principles to a range in local, national, international and

digital contexts

Design and develop strategies for promoting and practicing social justice in face

to face and digital community settings


Example of indicative tasks:

Task 1: 4,000 word (equivalent, 100%) Community Case File: In consultation with the

course organiser and through a medium of the student’s choice (podcast, Storify,

YouTube video, traditional essay, etc), students will select and critically analyse a local

or digital community and develop a strategy, methods and evaluation for a community-

based project for social justice.


None


Academic

description

Not entered

Syllabus Rethinking ‘community’

Conceptualising and theorising community action

Strategies and methods for effective community action

Ethical dilemmas for activism and practice

Transferable

skills

Critical analysis, Oral and written communication skills, Access research

materials


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Burns, N., Scholzman, K.L. and Vera, S. (2001) The Private Roots of Public Action: Gender Equality and Political Participation. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Castells, M. (2012) Networks of Outrage and Hope: Social Movements in the Internet Age. London: Polity. Cornwall, A. and Coehlo, V.S. (eds) (2007) Spaces for Change? The Politics of Citizen Participation in New Democratic Arenas. London: Zed. DeFillipis, J., Fisher, R. and Shragge, E. (2010) Contesting Community: The Limits and Potential of Local Organizing. New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press. Fainstien, S.S. (2011) The Just City. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Harvey, D. (2012) Rebel Cities: From the Right to the City to the Urban Revolution. London: Verso. McCaughey, M. and Ayers, M.D. (2003) Online Activism in Theory and Practice. London: Routledge. Norris, P. (2002) Democratic Phoenix: Reinventing Political Activism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Tsing, A. (2004) Friction: An Ethnography of Global Connection. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Study

Abroad

Not entered

Study

Pattern

Not entered

Keywords Community action, activism, political participation, public space,

citizenship, power

Contacts

Course

organiser

Dr. Akwugo Emejulu Tel: +44 131 650 4167 Email: [email protected]

Course

secretary

Tel: TBC

Email:


7

Course Title

Learning for Democracy

Course Outline





Home subject area


None

Course website


No

Course

description

This course starts from the premise that democracy is as much a social

and cultural process as a set of political institutions. A primary focus for

this course will be the changing relations between the state, economy

and civil society, particularly in the context of globalisation. Learning for

democracy implies an active role for education in resourcing and

supporting marginalised and powerless groups to pursue their

democratic interests. This approach will allow us to reflect critically on

discourses of citizenship and education emerging from different contexts

and actors.


Pre-

requisites


Prohibited

Combinations

None Other

requirements

None

Additional

Costs

None


Pre-

requisites

None


8

Displayed

in Visiting

Students

Prospectus?

Yes



Critically evaluate the contribution of a range of perspectives on ‘learning for

democracy’

Identify and articulate a range of interests and actors with an interest in learning

for democracy

Explore the relationship between macro institutional processes and micro

experiences and practices in a range of contexts


Indicative tasks:

Task 1: (30%) Via a group wiki and using a mix of media and sources, students

working in groups will collectively develop a 10-week curriculum on the theme of

learning for democracy. The group wiki forms the basis of the formative assessment

and part of the summative assessment for this course.

Task 2: (70%, 3,000 words) Essay In consultation with the course organiser, students

will devise their own essay question related to an aspect of learning for democracy

covered on the course.


None


Academic

description

Not entered

Syllabus Changing relations between state, civil society and the economy in different national contexts Democracy, power, empowerment and citizenship Learning in and from social movements Popular education

Transferable

skills


materials


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Apple, M.W. (2012) Can Education Change Society? London: Routledge.

Ball, S.J. (2012) Global Education Inc.: New Policy Networks and the Neoliberal Imaginary. London: Routledge. Bourdieu, P. and Passeron, J.C. (1990) Reproduction in Education, Society and Culture. London: Sage. Dewey, J. (1916) Democracy and Education. New York: Free Press.

Freire, P. (1996) The Pedagogy of the Oppressed. London: Penguin.

Habermas, J. (1989) The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere.

Cambridge: Polity.

Hall, B., Clover, D., Crowther, J. and Scandrett, E. (2012) Learning and

Education for a Better World: The Role of Social Movements. Rotterdam:

Sense Publishers.

hooks, b. (2003) Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope. London:

Routledge.

Nussbaum, M. C. (1997) Cultivating Humanity: A Classical Defence of

Reform in Liberal Education. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

Preskill, S. and Brookfield, S.D. (2009) Learning as a Way of Leading:

Lessons from the Struggle for Social Justice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Study

Abroad

Not entered

Study

Pattern

Not entered

Keywords Learning for democracy, popular education, conscientisation, critical

citizenship

Contacts

Course

organiser

Dr. Jim Crowther

Tel: 0131 651 6176 Email:

[email protected]

Course

secretary

TBC Tel: Email:

mailto:[email protected]


10

Course Title

Activist Social Research

Course Outline





Home subject area


None

Course website


No

Course

description

Activist social research combines political commitments to addressing

social problems with rigorous research about those problems. This

course aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills to plan,

design and execute a programme of activist research for real world

application and the dissertation or applied research project elements of

the MSc in Social Justice and Community Action. Drawing on radical

social theories such as critical theory, feminism, anti-racism and post-

structuralism, this course will also introduce students to some of the

ethical and practical challenges of doing high quality research for social

change. The course will enable students to formulate a research

question; outline a project plan; understand methods for qualitative

data collection and analysis; and develop strategies for communicating

and disseminating research findings to appropriate audiences.


Pre-requisites None Co-requisites None

Prohibited

Combinations

None Other

requirements

None

Additional

Costs

None



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Pre-

requisites

None

Displayed in

Visiting

Students

Prospectus?

Yes



Demonstrate an awareness of the key epistemological issues in activist social research

Identify appropriate research questions and how they might be addressed by particular methodological approaches

Locate and critically evaluate relevant literature Engage with a range of data collection methods Have a critical awareness of issues relating to research ethics including

authenticity, confirmability and trustworthiness Understand issues of positionality and reflexivity Demonstrate specialist skills in the analysis of qualitative data Effectively plan a programme of research Demonstrate an awareness of the presentation and dissemination of research

findings to a range of audiences


Indicative tasks:

Task 1: Research Proposal (100%, 4,000 words): This assignment will also be students’ dissertation or applied research project proposal. It will describe and justify the research question or policy/practice issue the students plan to address, the background to this topic including an indication of what the literature review will contain, the chosen research methodology (where relevant), timescales, and ethical considerations.


None


Academic

description

Not entered


12

Syllabus What is ‘activist social research’?

Understanding epistemological traditions

Introduction to methodology and methods

Approaches to data analysis

Ethics in activist social research

Communicating and disseminating research findings

Introduction to the dissertation and the applied research project

Writing a dissertation or applied research project proposal

Transferable

skills


materials


Ackerly, B. and True, J. (2010) Doing Feminist Research in Political and Social Science. London: Palgrave. Bryman, A. (2012) Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Denzin, N. and Giardina, M. (eds) (2009) Qualitative Inquiry and Social Justice: Towards a Politics of Hope. Walnut Creek: Left Coast Press. Elliot, J. (2005) Using Narrative in Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. London: Sage. Hammersley, M. (2000) Taking Sides in Social Research: Essays on Partisanship and Bias. London: Routledge. Harding, S. (ed) (2004) The Feminist Standpoint Theory Reader: Intellectual and

Political Controversies. New York: Routledge.

Howarth, D.R. (2000) Discourse. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Laclau, E. and Mouffe, C. (2001) Hegemony and Socialist Strategy: Towards a Radical Democratic Politics. London: Verso. Lincoln, Y. S. and Denzin, N. K. (eds) (2003) The Landscape of Qualitative Research: Theories and Issues. London: Sage. Naples, N.A. (2003) Feminism and Method: Ethnography, Discourse Analysis and Activist Research: New York: Routledge.

Stringer, E. T. (2013) Action Research. London: Sage.

Twine, F.W. and Warren, J. (2000) Racing Research, Researching Race:

Methodological Dilemmas in Critical Race Studies. New York: NYU Press.

Wodak, R. and Meyer, M. (eds) (2009) Methods for Critical Discourse Analysis.


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London: Sage.

Study Abroad Not entered

Study Pattern Not entered

Keywords Activism, social research, research methods, epistemology, methodology,

research proposal

Contacts

Course

organiser

New lecturer Tel: Email:

Course

secretary

TBC Tel: Email:


14

Course Title

Policy Analysis for Social Justice

Course Outline


Course type

Standard Availability To all students



Home subject area


None

Course website


No

Course

description

This course focuses on the challenges of enacting social justice ideas,

principles and practices in the social policy process. Because scholars,

activists and practitioners for social justice are particularly interested in

disputes about the fair allocation of resources and the experiences of

marginalised groups in public and private spaces, this course aims to

introduce students to the contested processes, strategies and actors

involved in social policy making and implementation at the local, national

and international levels. In addition, this course will offer a range of

frameworks and strategies for shaping and influencing the policy process

in different contexts.


Pre-

requisites


Prohibited

Combinations

None Other

requirements

None

Additional

Costs

None



15

Pre-

requisites

None

Displayed

in Visiting

Students

Prospectus?

Yes



Critically analyse the processes, strategies, actors and resources in social

policymaking for social justice

Compare and contrast competing frameworks for understanding the

constructions of policy problems and solutions, policy processes and

policymaking environments

Understand and evaluate strategies and tactics for influence and advocacy in

the policy making process


Indicative assessment:

Task 1: Briefing Paper (70%, Equivalent 3,000 words): In consultation with the course

organiser, students will choose a contemporary public policy relevant to them and using

language accessible for a popular audience, provide a background and overview of the

key disputes around the policy area; provide a summary of the enacted policy; offer key

recommendations and conclusions; and provide a dissemination plan for the briefing.

Task 2: Group project (30%): Working in groups using a group wiki, students will

choose a contemporary policy dispute and develop an advocacy strategy for influencing

the key policy actors and the chosen policy development, resourcing and

implementation processes. The group wiki forms the basis of the formative

assessment and part of the summative assessment for this course.


None


Academic

description

Not entered

Syllabus What’s the problem represented to be? Frameworks for understanding


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the construction of social policy problems

Understanding the policy making process: Actors, resources and

institutional constraints

Strategies for influence and advocacy in policymaking and policy

implementation

Transferable

skills

Critical analysis, Oral and written communication skills, Access

research materials


Bacchi, C. (1999) Women, Policy and Politics: The Construction of Policy

Problems. London: Sage.

Choudry, A. and Kapoor, D. (eds) (2013) Learning from the Ground Up: Global Perspectives on Social Movements and Knowledge Production. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Keane. J. (2003) Global Civil Society? Cambridge: Cambridge University

Press.

Kech, M.E. and Sikink, K. (1998) Activists Beyond Borders: Advocacy

Networks in International Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University

Press.

Lang, S. (2012) NGOs, Civil Society and the Public Sphere. Cambridge:

Cambridge University Press.

McGrew, D. and Held, D. (2002) Governing Globalisation: Power,

Authority and Global Governance. London: Polity.

Scholte, J.A. (2005) Globalisation: A Critical Introduction. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Veneklassen, L. and Miller, V. (2007) A New Weave of Power, People, and Politics: The Action Guide for Advocacy and Citizen Participation. New York: Practical Action. Weiss, T.G. (2013) Global Governance: Why? What? Whither? London: Polity.

Yeats, N. (2014) Understanding Global Social Policy. Bristol: Policy

Press.

Study

Abroad

Not entered


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Study

Pattern

Not entered

Keywords social policy, social justice, policy advocacy, policy implementation

Contacts

Course

organiser

New lecturer

Tel:

Email:

Course

secretary

TBC Tel:

Email:


18

Course Title

Organisational Management for Social Justice

Course Outline





Home subject area


None

Course website


No

Course

description

This course provides students with an introduction to the theories and

practices of management and of organisations and a critical exploration

of notions of ‘organisational justice’. Through this course, students will

have the opportunity to examine how the management of local, national

and international organisations, in terms of strategy, goal-setting,

human resources and financial planning, can be a viable site for

applying social justice principles.


Pre-requisites None Co-requisites None

Prohibited

Combinations

None Other

requirements

None

Additional

Costs

None


Pre-

requisites

None

Displayed in

Visiting

Yes


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Students

Prospectus?



Critically analyse the foundational theories of organisations and of management

Demonstrate understanding of the concept of ‘organisational justice’

Assess and evaluate multiple factors affecting the enactment of social justice in

local, national and international organisations

Critically assess competing strategies, models and practices for managing a

socially just organisation


Indicative task:

Task 1: Organisation Case Profile (100% 4,000 words equivalent): In consultation

with the course organiser and through a medium of the student’s choice (podcast,

Storify, YouTube video, traditional essay, etc), students will select and critically analyse

a real but anonymised organisation and the relationship between the selected

organisation’s goals, structure and current work programme and its stated aims

regarding social justice.


None


Academic

description

Not entered

Syllabus Introduction to organisations and organisational resources

Theories and practices of management

Approaches to organisational justice

Understanding leadership and management; organisational behaviour and

human resource management for social justice

Transferable

skills


materials


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Bebbington, A.J., Hickey, S. and Mitlin, D.C. (eds) (2008) Can NGOs Make a Difference? The Challenge of Development Alternatives. London: Zed. Blowfield, M. and Murray, A. (2008). Corporate Responsibility: A Critical Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Boleman, L.G. and Deal, T.E. (2008). Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice and Leadership. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Choudry, A. and Kapoor, N. (2013) NGO-ization: Complicity, Contradictions and Prospects. London: Zed. Greenberg, J. and Colquitt, J.A. (eds) (2005) Handbook of Organizational Justice. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Press. Grey, C. (2013) A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Studying Organizations. London: Sage. Hudson, M. (2009) Managing without Profit: Leadership, Management and Governance of Third Sector Organisations. London: Directory of Social Change. Paton, R. (2003) Managing and Measuring Social Enterprises. London: Sage. Ridley-Duff, R. and Bull, M. (2011) Understanding Social Enterprise: Theory and Practice. London: Sage. Yunus, M. (2009) Creating a World without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism. New York: Public Affairs.

Study Abroad Not entered

Study Pattern Not entered

Keywords organisational studies, organisational management, social justice,

organisational change, social enterprise, corporate social responsibility

Contacts

Course

organiser

Pete Evans (provisional)

Tel: 0131 651 6345 Email: [email protected]

Course

secretary

TBC Tel: Email:


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Course Title

Dissertation (Social Justice)

Course Outline


Course type




Home subject area


None

Course website


No

Course

description

The dissertation is a major piece of research that demands significant time

and commitment from the student. Through the dissertation, the student

has the opportunity to identify a research topic, develop and implement a

logical fieldwork plan for gathering data and undertake systematic

analysis and write-up of the data. Students will be supported through this

process through both the Activist Social Research course and individual

meetings with a designated supervisor.


Pre-

requisites

Met criteria for progression Co-requisites None

Prohibited

Combinations

None Other

requirements

None

Additional

Costs

None


Pre-

requisites

Met criteria for progression


22

Displayed in

Visiting

Students

Prospectus?

No



Undertake a significant piece of work demonstrating substantial autonomy,

initiative and decision making

Identify and define a topic of enquiry suitable for a dissertation and justify its

theoretical significance and practical feasibility

Search for, access, critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant literature

related to the identified topic of enquiry

Critically reflect on and attend to the ethical issues raised by the project

Identify an appropriate methodology and use it effectively to organise and justify

the collection of data

Systematically analyse data collected using appropriate techniques

Communicate and disseminate the research plans and findings observing

appropriate academic guidelines


15,000 word dissertation

Indicative sections may include:

Abstract

Introduction

Literature review

Methodology, methods and ethics

Data analysis

Conclusions


None


Academic

description

Not entered

Syllabus Individual meetings with designated supervisor


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Transferable

skills

autonomous working; project management; knowledge transfer;

communication skills; risk assessment

Reading list See Activist Social Research course and as specified by student and

supervisor

Study

Abroad

Not entered

Study

Pattern

Not entered

Keywords Not entered

Contacts

Course

organiser

Dr. Akwugo Emejulu Tel: 0131 651 4167 Email: [email protected]

Course

secretary

TBC

Tel:

Email:


24

Course Title

Applied Research Project (Social Justice)

Course Outline


Course type




Home subject area


None

Course website


No

Course

description

As an alternative to the ‘standard’ masters dissertation, the Applied

Research Project is a significant piece of work that allows students to

undertake real world research directly applicable to the aims, interests

and needs of a particular activist network, community group or

organisation. The Applied Research Project can also be approached as a

substantive investigation and analysis of an important policy development

and/or practice issue.

The Applied Research Project will be underpinned by logical theorisations,

conceptualisations and evidence and should include: a significant and

critical discussion of the relevant context, a rigorous and substantive

analysis of the identified issue or problem and a creative approach for

addressing the identified issue.

Students will be supported through this process through both the Activist

Social Research course and individual meetings with a designated

supervisor.


Pre-

requisites

Met criteria for progression Co-requisites None


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Prohibited

Combinations

None Other

requirements

None

Additional

Costs

None


Pre-

requisites

Met criteria for progression

Displayed in

Visiting

Students

Prospectus?

No



Undertake a significant piece of work demonstrating substantial autonomy,

initiative and decision making

Identify and define a topic of enquiry suitable for the applied research project

and justify its significance and practical application

Search for, access, critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise relevant literature

related to the identified topic of investigation

Systematically analyse the topic using appropriate theorisations, analyses and

evidence

Communicate and disseminate the project findings by observing appropriate

academic and practice guidelines


15,000 word equivalent

The Applied Research Project need not conform to a typical ‘report’ style and can be

presented, in consultation with the project supervisor, in a format that is relevant and

meaningful to the intended audiences.

Indicative sections may include:

Introduction

Background/Context to the issue

Policy/Problem/Practice analyses

Recommendations for action

Conclusions


26


None


Academic

description

Not entered

Syllabus Individual meetings with designated supervisor

Transferable

skills

autonomous working; project management; knowledge transfer;

communication skills; risk assessment

Reading list See Activist Social Research course and as specified by student and

supervisor

Study

Abroad

Not entered

Study

Pattern

Not entered

Keywords Not entered

Contacts

Course

organiser

Dr. Akwugo Emejulu Tel: 0131 651 4167 Email: [email protected]

Course

secretary

TBC

Tel:

Email:


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MSc in Social Justice and Community Action Course ... · SPGSC-Paper D (iv)-290114 1 MSc in Social...

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Transcript of MSc in Social Justice and Community Action Course ... · SPGSC-Paper D (iv)-290114 1 MSc in Social...