PIR-40119 - Module Specification
School of Social, Political and Global Studies
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2020/21

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2020/21

The American Civil Rights Movement is one of the most iconic protest movements for political and social equality in recent history. The fight for legal and social equality for black people in the United States greatly influenced further fights for equality in the United States for other racial or ethnic groups, women, and the disabled. It continues to influence protest movements throughout the world. But how successful was this movement? What was the impact of the historic legal victories it won in the fight for equality? What did the Civil Rights Movement do for people in the United States?
This module introduces students to the issues of equality and civil rights in the United States. It examines the social and political background of civil rights and the civil rights movement, mainly from the postwar period until today, focusing particularly upon the conflicts over segregation and racial equality. Students will review the relevant laws and court rulings involved in these issues and analyse the outcomes and impacts of court rulings and other government actions in protecting civil rights. The conflicts over segregation and racial equality provide the particular focus for the module.

This module examines the issues of civil rights and equality in order to evaluate the extent to which courts can effectively generate social change. It explores the advantages and limits of using the law to effect social change, using legal cases and case studies to examine the relationship between law and society in the context of civil rights in the United States.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate systematic knowledge of the social, legal, and political context of civil rights in the United States:
Critically evaluate court rulings to address the civil rights issues facing the United States.:
Critically evaluate evidence and data to judge the impact of court decisions regarding civil rights.:
Demonstrate systematic knowledge of and critically evaluate advanced scholarship and recent research in civil rights and equality in the United States.:
Communicate appropriately through use of higher level writing skills with appropriate use of academic referencing.:

Study hours

24 hours seminars
36 hours seminar preparation
40 hours research and writing case study
50 hours research and writing essay

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment