Gwybodaeth Modiwlau
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Seminar | 6 x 2 Hour Seminars |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 2,500 word essay | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | 1 x 2,500 word essay | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 1 x 2,500 word essay | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 1 x 2,500 word essay | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Define and understand the historic, social and political dimension of multiculturalism in modern democracies;
2. Demonstrate an in-depth and reflective understanding of key issues and policy challenges in multicultural societies;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of how and why multicultural policies have been formulated and implemented with a focus on the experiences of indigenous peoples, immigrant groups and national minorities;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the successes, limitations and failures of multicultural policies;
5. Critically evaluate the role of multicultural policies across a range of case studies;
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of traditions and viewpoints, as well as a more extensive appreciation of ‘difference’ in a range of countries;
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the impacts of globalisation and migration patterns on multicultural and intercultural relations and social cohesion;
8. Evaluate the implications of events such as '9/11', '7/7' and the Paris attacks for multiculturalism and groups within societies.
Brief description
This module examines what is meant by multiculturalism and the challenges, limitations and opportunities of multicultural policies in a comparative context. It will provide students with an understanding of contemporary policy debates regarding multiculturalism and the management of linguistic, cultural, and ethnic diversity. Contrasting notions of multiculturalism will also be considered and different approaches to diversity traced - from the ‘melting-pot’ perspective in the US in the early 20th century, Canada’s adoption of the multiculturalism policy during the 1960s, and the so-called retreat from multiculturalism witnessed in Europe since the mid-1990s. The module will investigate these perspectives in a contemporary setting by allowing students to explore empirical case studies such as the position of Islamic minorities in Europe. A specific focus is placed on the experiences of indigenous peoples, immigrants groups and national minorities.
Content
This module will introduce students to multiculturalism as a public policy philosophy, and will consider multiculturalism in its historical, social and political perspective. Students will explore themes such as linguistic, cultural and ethnic diversity, globalization, racism, colonial legacies, public policy and governance. To exemplify and explore the challenges, limitations and possibilities linked to multiculturalism, the module will investigate a number of cases and a variety of countries including Canada, South Africa, the Netherlands, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. In exploring the case studies, a specific focus is placed on the experiences of indigenous peoples, immigrants groups and national minorities in order to investigate the different approaches adopted by a range of governments, along with the implications of these policies. It will also focus on the critiques of multiculturalism and the recent ‘backlash’ against multiculturalism since 9/11.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | N/A |
| Communication | Students will learn how to form their ideas both verbally in seminar discussion and in writing in the essays, and how to present their arguments in a coherent, effective and clear manner. They will learn the importance of data collection and analysis along with the clear communication. They will learn how to use and exploit the many sources of information available and how to be clear in their writing and speaking. They will learn to consider only that which is relevant to the topic and focus on the objectives and aims of their argument or discussion. Group work will facilitate students in improving their communication skills. Students will also be required to submit their essays in word-processed format and the presentation of work should reflect effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in order to ensure clarity, coherence and effective communication |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The module encourages self-management. It also encourages students to seek support and assistance from both the convenor and their peers, and to understand and build upon feedback. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and to exercise their own initiative by searching for sources and compiling reading lists. The need to present during seminars and to meet coursework deadlines will focus students’ attention on the need to manage their time and make the most of the resources and support available to them. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format electronically. They will also be encouraged to search for sources of information on the web, as well as seeking sources through electronic information sources. Students will also be expected to make use of the resources that will be available on Blackboard. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | This module is intended to develop a number of skills that will be of use to students both personally and professionally. These include inter alia the ability to respect the views of others, develop, to present a clear argument both verbally and in writing and to listen, reflect upon and respond to the viewpoints and statements of others. Moreover, the written work includes writing clearly and concisely, which is a common task in the workplace. The module will also focus on improving students’ analytical, research, and communication skills. They will also develop transferable skills and personal qualities by engaging with contemporary issues of racism and cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity and equality and develop a more in-depth understanding of debates regarding contemporary multiculturalism. It is expected that they will acquire skills in researching, writing and oral skills through presentation/debating, which are essential skills for the workplace. |
| Problem solving | Group work, independent project work and problem solving will be one of the central goals of the module. The submission of two written assignments along with preparation for seminar discussions will require that students develop independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to adopt viewpoints; analyse and present data; develop and present an argument; consider extreme, similar and dissimilar cases; reason logically and look for patterns. |
| Research skills | The preparation and submission of coursework will demand independent research and information literacy skills and will also encourage students to recognize and use appropriate research resources and write up the results in the form of an argument. Seminar preparation will also enable students to develop independent project skills. |
| Subject Specific Skills | The module will encourage students to develop, practice and test a wide range of subject specific skills that will help them to understand, conceptualise and evaluate examples and ideas on the module. These subject specific skills include: • Collect and understand a wide range of data relating to the module; • Evaluate competing perspectives; • Demonstrate subject specific research techniques. Apply a range of methodologies to complex historical and contemporary political problems. |
| Team work | Students will be expected to undertake team exercises and group work during the seminars. For many of the topics of this module, seminars will consist of small-group discussions where students will be asked to discuss as a group the core issues |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6