SSJ20160 Race and Racism: Critical Perspectives

Academic Year 2020/2021

Racism is a global structural force of oppression shaping hierarchies of superiority/inferiority and dehumanization. This module will critically analyse different theories and debates on the concepts of ‘race,’ racism and racialization, by focusing on their links to colonialism, capitalism, orientalism, state formation and nationalism. The course explores how racism intersects with other forms of oppression, - such as sexism, classism, ageism, and ableism – as its shapes structural inequalities and everyday experiences of stigmatization and violence. Students will learn about the specificities of racism in Ireland, while also exploring global experiences of anti-black racism, islamophobia and anti-Semitism. White privilege and colour-blind ideologies will be critically unpacked and analysed in order to understand why and how racism is constantly denied, minimized or silenced. The final aim of the course involves mapping anti-racist experiences in Ireland and in other regions, assessing their strategies and limitations for achieving social change.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Develop theoretically informed understandings on the concepts of race, racialization, racism and anti-racism.
2. Critically analyse the historical and contemporary links between race, racism, colonialism, capitalism, orientalism and nationalism.
3. Recognize and analyse how racism shapes structural inequalities, exclusions, hierarchies, stigmatization, privilege and violence in Ireland and in other regions.
4. Understand how racism intersects with other forms of oppression: sexism, classism, ageism, ableism.
5. Map and critically analyse anti-racist strategies, projects and organizations in Ireland and other regions.
6. Share and communicate knowledge with activists and non-academic actors.
7. Engage in processes of sensitization and reflexivity through autobiography and narrative approaches.


Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Autonomous Student Learning

100

Total

124

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; class discussions and activities; specified reading 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Positionality reflection (10%). Drawing on the concept of intersectionality, students will write a 250-300 text reflecting on their positionality. Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

10

Multiple Choice Questionnaire: In class multiple choice questionnaire Varies over the Trimester n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% No

30

Group Project: End of semester group proyect. See guidelines on Brightspace Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Standard conversion grade scale 40% Yes

60


Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

There are three components of assessment: 1) Results from MCQ on Key concepts will be delivered online after two weeks. MCQ incorrect answers will be discussed during class once any in-term resits have been completed. 2) Feedback on abstract of poster research group project will be delivered via email in order to guide final submission. 3) Group research posters will be assesed and feedback will be delivered to students, using a qualitative rubric attached to the letter grade awarded.

Name Role
Dr Karen Smith Lecturer / Co-Lecturer