Education for diversity and equality

Overview

This module will introduce students to debates around the theory, and practice of education in ethnically diverse societies. It will centre around two topics that have concerned educationalists over recent decades – 1) the role of education in advancing equality and equity between racial, ethnic and religious groups; and 2) the role of education in fostering social cohesion in diverse societies.
The module will focus on how the concepts and issues pertinent to these topics are manifest in school systems and structures, and in pedagogical practice in Northern Ireland and other countries with contested histories. These will include societies which have experienced inter-ethnic conflict, significant inward migration, and/or are (former) colonial or settler colonial countries.

Learning Objectives

Studying this module will enable students to:

• Know and understand key theories and debates relating to education in ethnically plural societies
• Describe the role of education in advancing equality between racial, ethnic and religious groups and promoting social cohesion.
• Understand how the concepts and issues covered in the module manifest in specific education contexts.

Skills

This module will allow students to develop the following skills:

• Critical thinking in assessing and evaluating academic literature.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to apply knowledge and understanding to produce an assignment that explores a key theoretical concept in depth.
• Ability to synthesize and apply knowledge and understanding to respond to unseen exam questions.

Assessment

None