POL2090 : Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Social Issues in Contemporary Political Philosophy
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Dr Andrew Walton
- Lecturer: Dr Meera Inglis
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To introduce students to prominent schools of thought and representative thinkers in contemporary political philosophy.
To provide students with a thorough knowledge of a range of arguments drawn from this literature on important political issues around equality, diversity, and inclusion.
To advance the ability of students to analyse and assess complex normative arguments.
To help students improve their skills in developing sustained, logically coherent, and persuasive written arguments.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module explores questions about how the social and political world ought to operate, with a particular focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion. It considers questions such as: Ought we to restrict hate speech? Should we use affirmative action policies? How should wealth be distributed? What kind of leave should be offered to parents? Should minority groups be granted exemptions from the law when it conflicts with their cultural or religious beliefs? The module examines such questions by considering prominent literature in normative political philosophy and exploring how to employ the tools of political philosophy to evaluate the merits of conflicting viewpoints with the aim of developing arguments about what a defensible account of justice requires.
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 17 | 1:00 | 17:00 | Recorded, non-synchronous, personal capture (PCap) videos |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 128:00 | 128:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | Synchronous online seminar |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 7 | 4:00 | 28:00 | Question-guided reading |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 2 | 4:00 | 8:00 | Guided assessment preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Synchronous Q&A Feedback Hour with ML |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Synchronous Assessment Surgery with TA/ML |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The main function of recorded lectures and online Q&A with the module leader is to provide students with an overview of topics, introduce them to the main thinkers studied on the module, and elaborate on these matters in discussion.
The question-guided readings help students familiarise themselves with relevant arguments and ideas.
Small group teaching provides students with the opportunity to discuss and debate the issues with their peers, to deepen their knowledge through exchange of ideas about set readings, and to further understanding by raising questions.
The guided assessment preparation and assessment surgery aid student learning about how to deploy what they have learned in their assignments and to ask any questions about how to do so.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 25 | 1000 words essay design |
| Essay | 1 | M | 75 | 2500 words |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The essay assessment provides students the space to research into relevant literature in political philosophy, demonstrate their knowledge of theories and perspectives in this field, and employ its methods to reason about the plausibility of moral arguments, and construct a sustained position on an important topic in equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The written exercise (essay design) provides students with the space to explore aspects of how to conduct these tasks and to build on this for the essay by honing their skills through the feedback.
At essay workshops scheduled prior to the submission of the written exercise, students will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on drafts of the written exercise.
At essay surgeries scheduled between the written exercise and the essay, students will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on how they have developed their plans and their further preparations for the essay.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- POL2090's Timetable