Module Code - Title:
SO4052
-
SOCIOLOGY OF RACE AND RACISMS
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module will consider 'race' as a social construct and address some of the following questions. How and why is race constructed in contemporary society? How do 'racialising processes' occur in social relations? How does 'racial formation' take place in conjunction with other identities? How are racial identities contested? What are the gendered and class-based dimensions of race? These questions will be addressed by looking at how racial knowledge and forms of institutional racism inform public policy specifically in education, in housing, within the criminal justice system and in health. The purposes of the module are to a) discuss and analyse the conceptual frameworks for understanding the multifaceted and intersectional dimensions of race and racism; and b) to comparatively examine how these inform public policy in Ireland and internationally.
Syllabus:
The social construction of race
Privilege and whiteness
Culture and nationalism
Institutional racism
Racism and education
Racism and housing
Racism and the Criminal Justice System
Racism and health
Intersectionality in policy
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Explain the theoretical conceptualisations of race and racism
Describe and identify racialising practices in everyday social life
Demonstrate an understanding of how institutional racism informs public policy
Analyse how intersectional identities shape analyses of, and responses to, race and racism in policy
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an awareness of the role of race and racialization in shaping the lives and life chances of individuals and social groups
Demonstrate an awareness of social conditions in shaping opportunities and experiences in ways that may or may no align with contemporary moral positions
Demonstrate an awareness of the need for reflexivity in evaluating the moral and ethical dimensions of societies and people from different social contexts
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module will be taught through a combination of lecturers and self directed learning. In combination, these will enhance knowledgeability of the subject area, foster a proactive stance towards research, improve ability to articulate complex statistical terms, increase creativity through engagement with data, and improve a sense of responsibility to self and society.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Chattoo, S., K. Atkin, G. Craig, and R. Flynn. (2019)
Understanding 'race' and ethnicity. (2nd Edition)
, Bristol: Policy Press
Garner, S. (2009)
Racisms: An introduction
, London: Sage
Fanning, B. (2012)
Racism and social change in the Republic of Ireland (2nd Edition)
, Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BAARTSUEA - ARTS (EVENING)
BAEUSTUFA - EUROPEAN STUDIES
BAPSSOUFA - PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY
BSSOSCUFA - SOCIAL SCIENCES
BAULARUFA - ARTS
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
lindsey.garratt@ul.ie