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PIR-10071 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

PIR-10071 - Exploring Political Inequalities
Coordinator: Phil Catney Room: CBA1.029 Tel: +44 1782 7 33346
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

What is the nature of inequalities in society? What generates such inequalities? What role does political power have in sustaining inequalities? Does inequality matter? How can citizens challenge inequalities? This module is about better understanding inequalities, why they matter and what can be done to address them fairly and equitably. This module aims to deepen our understanding of the unequal world around us by exploring the concept of (in)equality through the lens of political thought and political economy, with a focus on gender, race, and economics.

Aims
This module aims to deepen our understanding of the unequal world around us by exploring the concept of (in)equality through the lens of political thought and political economy, focusing on gender, race, and economics.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe the relationship between social inequalities and politics.
: 1,2,3
describe how inequalities are reflected in political power.: 3
introduce theories and concepts to explain the relationship between inequalities and politics.
: 1,2,3
introduce ways that political action can lead to social change.: 1,2,3
describe how inequalities persist in society and their social implications.: 1,2,3

Study hours

24 - lectures
24 - seminars
25 - preparation of group presentation assessment
25 - preparation of poster assessment
50 - preparation of the reflective diary
152 - independent reading for lectures and tutorials

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Assessment weighted 20%
Group presentation
Students in groups of four to undertake a 15-minute presentation on a form of inequality. Individual peer weighting will be used to adjust a group mark to an individual one.

2: Report weighted 20%
500 word reflective report of group presentation
You will work in a group to research, write, and deliver a 15 minute oral and visual presentation about one aspect of social inequalities. The mark you receive is based on a 500-word individual report that reflects on the process of researching, writing and delivering the presentation, including your individual contribution.

3: Essay weighted 60%
1,500-word essay
A 1500-word essay addressing a topic from the second half of the module. The essay will examine how social and political theory explain forms of inequality. A list of essay questions will be shared on the KLE space.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025