Place, inequality and recognition: Key concepts in contemporary citizenship

Social capital – what is it, and how have definitions differed?  Through this thought-provoking module, you will investigate questions such as these and some of the key concepts underpinning citizenship today.  You’ll look critically at our ideas of equality and recognition, and evaluate these in terms of current policy concerns.  The aim of the module is to provide you with the tools you need to understand the complexity of this discipline.

What does the module cover?

Explore the key concepts underlying citizenship.  Apply the concept of social capital to notions of social citizenship drawing on critical thinking.  Learn to follow complex sequences of argument, for example, on feminist identity politics and citizenship theory.

More Information

Module Code:

ED2030

Key topics

• 'Place' and social capital
• Geographical vs. networked notions of citizenship
• Theorists of social capital (Putnam, Bourdieu, Coleman)
• Components of social capital
• Norms
• Networks
• Trust
• Critique
• Citizenship and inequalities
• Inequalities and active citizenship
• Critical discussion of the notion of the 'underclass' and citizenship
• Citizenship as 'ruling class strategy'
• Recognition and citizenship
• Feminist identity politics and citizenship theory
• Multiculturalism and citizenship: recognition or re-distribution?

Pre-requisites

None

Number of credits & study time

20 credits / 200 hours

Assessment

In this module there are a number of formative assessments that you’ll need to complete as part of your study and forward to your academic tutor for grading and comments.

You’ll also need to successfully complete a summative assessment to meet your final grade which will take the form of an essay (3,500-4,000 words).