Module SXP-2010:
Poverty and Inequality

Module Facts

Run by School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Hefin Gwilym

Overall aims and purpose

This module provides students with a knowledge of the debates about the definition, causation, incidence, and effects of poverty and inequality in both the UK and a comparative context, and provides an analysis of the policy initiatives currently employed to address the problem. It considers many aspects including gender and poverty; ethnicity and poverty,; crime and poverty and regional poverty. It also has a focus on global poverty and the billion people living on less than 2 dollars a day. Most years we have a guest lecturer on the Danish welfare state and on the growth of food banks in the UK.

Course content

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:

  1. Defining poverty – how is poverty defined? What is social exclusion? How important is inequality?
  2. 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’
  3. The risk of poverty – who is most at risk of being poor, and what are the possible consequences?
  4. Experiencing poverty - what does it mean to be poor in the UK today?
  5. Dimensions of poverty - what are the various dimensions of poverty, including income, wealth, health, education and housing.
  6. International issues – can we ‘make poverty history’?
  7. Confronting poverty – what policies are most effective against poverty? Is poverty or inequality the real problem?

Assessment Criteria

threshold

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.

good

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.

excellent

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.

Learning outcomes

  1. Gain knowledge of some of the ways in which poverty and social exclusion are defined.

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

  3. Be aware of the key factors positively correlated with poverty.

  4. Be familiar with the differing ways in which social deprivation may be experienced.

  5. Critically evaluate government policies for alleviating poverty.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Essay 2,500 words (Sem2) 50.00
Exam 2 hours (Sem2) 50.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar 50
Lecture 150

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
  • Caring - Showing concern for others; caring for children, people with disabilities and/or the elderly
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
  • Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: