Unit information: Theories of Ethnicity and Racism in 2021/22

Unit name	Theories of Ethnicity and Racism
Unit code	SOCIM3107
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Paca
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit examines key theoretical debates on racism, ethnicity and nationalism, critically assessing the ways in which these concepts are used in social science, political and everyday discourse. It explores competing explanatory frameworks and links analyses of ethnicity, racism and nationalism to theories of social change and modernity. Debates on multiculturalism, assimilation and integration are situated and there is an emphasis on the intersections of ethnicity and social inequalities. Drawing on historical and comparative examples, the unit develops a critical engagement with conventional understandings and current concepts including 'cultural racism' and 'new ethnicities'.

Aims:

• to examine critically the key theoretical debates concerning racism, ethnicity, and nationalism

• to link understandings of ethnicity, racism, nationalism to theories of social change and modernity

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students should be able to:

• argue for a preference for one definition of ethnicity as against competing definitions

• argue similarly for preferred definitions of racism, nationalism

• demonstrate a critical knowledge of key theories of racism, ethnicity and nationalism, drawing from key works in social theory

• develop a view of modernity into which theories of ethnicity and racism, and nationalism, may be fitted

• have a clear understanding of the debates about multiculturalism, assimilation and integration

• understand the intersections of class, social inequalities and ethnicity

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through blended learning methods, including a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities

Assessment Information

The assessment wil l relate directly to one of more of the learning outcomes specified above in 15 and will be an extended essay of 4000 words (or equivalent) showing an in-depth understanding and integration of key aspects of the unit.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SOCIM3107).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.