| CODE | SWP4371 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Equal Opportunities in Social Work and Social Policy | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Social Policy and Social Work | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Social workers and social policy graduates operate in a society characterised by inequalities and power imbalances that affect us all. These power imbalances are based on different social identities such as gender, race, age, class, sexuality, ability and beliefs. Through learning about the concepts inherent in anti-oppressive perspectives, this study-unit increases students’ awareness of the way people’s personal struggles are inextricably linked to oppressive structures in our society. Study Unit Aims: This study-unit explores and analyses systemic patterns of oppression and their implications to social work and social policies and practices. It aims to increase students’ awareness of the inequalities existent in our society, and the discrimination and oppression faced by many groups and individuals. It provides an understanding of theories and knowledge that underpin anti-oppressive policy and practice, on which students can build throughout their academic, professional, and personal lives. Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding By the end of this study-unit the student should be able to: • Define accurately the concepts of oppression, privilege, discrimination, victimisation and harassment; • Analyse the concept of stereotypes, why they exist and their own experiences of them; • Recognise how language, nation and culture can form the basis for discrimination and oppression; • Describe the personal, cultural and structural aspects of discrimination and the interrelationships across these; • Describe how society divides people into groups based on gender, race, ability, sexuality, age and beliefs and the way these social identities impact on experiences of oppression and privilege; • Analyse the intersection of various forms of oppression as they actually exist in daily lives; • Describe the legislation and initiatives to protect against discrimination, harassment and victimisation; • Articulate how anti-oppression fits within a broader set of theoretical and analytical frameworks; • Accurately use a range of anti-oppression and social inclusion concepts and terms when undertaking analysis of human rights and social justice issues; • Describe the implications of oppression for professional practice. Skills By the end of this study-unit the student should be able to: • Reflect on the impact that personal social location can have on one’s experience and understanding of the world; • Reflect on how discrimination can arise in complex ways that are not simply matters of personal prejudice and not necessarily intentional; • Apply analytic and critical thinking to issues of oppression in social policy, social work and broader settings; • Identify, the power relationships and dynamics involved in social work practice; • Identify and use various tools to promote equality and anti-oppressive practice at the individual, organisational and policy level; • Reflect on and identify further learning or development needs in relation to this study-unit. Reading List: - Thompson, N. (2016) Anti-Discriminatory Practice: Equality, Diversity and Social Justice, 6th Edition. Palgrave. Supplementary Texts: - Cocker, C. & Hafford-Letchfield, T. (2014). Rethinking anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive theories for social work practice. Palgrave Macmillan. - Ife, J. (2012). Human Rights and social work: Towards rights-based practice, 3rd Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Mullaly, B. & West, J. (2018). Challenging Oppression and Confronting Privilege: A critical approach to Anti-Oppressive and Anti-Privilege Theory and Practice. Toronto: Oxford University Press. - Romero, M. (2018). Introducing Intersectionality. Cambridge: Polity Press. - Thompson, N. (2011). Promoting Equality: Working with diversity and difference, 3rd edition. Palgrave. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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