EDU-10072 - Module Specification
School of Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

This module explores the main debates about education and poverty in the media, in political publications and in academic literature. In this module we shall explore the main debates around defining poverty, and the controversial nature of welfare systems designed to address the problem. We shall understand the ways in which poverty impacts on educational achievement, but also, explore education policies designed to combat (and compensate for) poverty and social exclusion. We shall also analyse current education policy and particular government initiatives that aim at fighting social exclusion and poverty along with those which focus on promoting social mobility and inclusion. To this end critical theoretical perspectives will be drawn upon to examine and evaluate the connections between poverty and education.

The module is concerned with the problem of poverty and how it relates to education as part of a wider social policy. It relates issues of poverty, attainment and schooling structures. The module is focused on evaluating government and other initiatives that aim to reduce inequality across poverty and education. The module also aims to provide students with an understanding of the theoretical and research literature on this area.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify and comment on the main issues around defining poverty, and the controversial nature of welfare systems designed to address the problem: 1
Analyse and evaluate education policy and particular government initiatives that have been focused on fighting social exclusion and poverty: 1
Make use of relevant theoretical perspectives to explore connections between poverty and education, in the UK: 1
Explore education policies designed to combat (and compensate for) poverty and social exclusion: 1
Review and evaluate policies designed to address the link between education and poverty: 1
Explain the ways in which poverty impacts on educational achievement: 1

Study hours

10-hour Lectures
10-hour Seminars
20 hours Lecture and seminar preparation (Essential reading and reviewing online material)
70 hours Private Study
40 hours Preparation for assessment

School Rules

Offered as an elective to non-Education students subject to resources and availability.

Description of Module Assessment