Overview

This module will examine the explanations for, and the experience of, poverty and inequality in the UK and in comparative perspective. It will aim to address the following aspects: Defining poverty and inequality including a multi-deprivational and income definition of poverty. We will also explore the reasons for poverty today, who are most at risk of being in poverty, and why has poverty proven to be so persistent. The phenomenon of in-work poverty will be examined as well as the perspective of a culture of poverty. We will also explore poverty across the work with a particular focus on absolute poverty in Sub Saharan Africa and South Eat Asia. The module will also cover recent developments such as the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis on poverty. Approaches to alleviate poverty will be discussed including new ideas such as Universal Basic Income (UBI).

This module will examine the explanations for, and the experience of, poverty in the UK and in comparative perspective. It will aim to address the following aspects:

Defining poverty – how is poverty defined? What is social exclusion? How important is inequality?
Explaining poverty - how has the persistence of poverty been explained? This will look particularly at ‘pathological’ explanations involving a ‘culture of poverty’ or the existence of an ‘underclass’ The risk of poverty – who is most at risk of being poor, and what are the possible consequences? Experiencing poverty - what does it mean to be poor in the UK today?
Dimensions of poverty - what are the various dimensions of poverty, including income, wealth, health, education and housing. International issues – can we ‘make poverty history’? Confronting poverty – what policies are most effective against poverty? Is poverty or inequality the real problem?

Assessment Strategy

Excellent. A* - A- Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the definitions of, explanations for and government actions on poverty and exclusion, showing some evidence of independent reading and research.

Good. B+-B- Demonstrate a substantial knowledge of the definitions of, explanations for and government actions on poverty and exclusion, showing some evidence of independent reading and research.

Threshold. D+-D- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the definitions of, explanations for and government actions on poverty and exclusion, showing some evidence of independent reading and research.

Learning Outcomes

• Be able to discuss critically differing explanations for the causes of social deprivation and inequalities.

• Critically evaluate government policies for alleviating poverty.

• Gain knowledge of some of the ways in which poverty and inequality are defined.

• Understand the key factors positively correlated with poverty and the differing ways in which social deprivation may be experienced.