Studying at York
Race Relations in Britain - ENG00105M
- Department: English and Related Literature
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Meg Roughley
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
- See module specification for other years: 2021-22
Module summary
This module is for Norwegian Study Centre Postgraduate Students only.
The purpose of this postgraduate module is to provide a critical introduction to the political doctrine of ‘multiculturalism’ as a way of organising and legislating for ‘appropriate’ race relations in twenty-first century Britain. Our approach to the topic will be interdisciplinary, drawing on theories and methodologies from history, sociology, anthropology and media studies, but it will be chiefly directed by the concepts of postcolonialism.
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Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
Subjects to be covered will include the following:
- Immigration - history and legislation
- Anti-discrimination legislation
- Race relations and the criminal justice system
- Education and employment
- Racism in sport
- Race relations and the media
A more detailed, week by week, schedule of lectures and seminars will be distributed at the start of the course.
Module learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, you will:
- Be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the key themes and issues in the area of race relations in Britain since the second world war;
- Be able to analyse some aspects of the key theories and ideological discourses of race relations in Britain today;
- Be able to employ relevant critical concepts from sociological, anthropological, political and/or literary and media discourses in considering contemporary events in the field of British race relations;
- Have an enhanced appreciation of British culture, having studied that culture from within
- Understand the challenges posed in carrying out a substantial piece of independent research.
- Demonstrate familiarity with and the use of a range of research methods and tools (for example, library and archival catalogues and online databases).
- Demonstrate the ability to present extended and complex arguments in writing.
- Develop the academic, personal and professional skills required to equip you to undertake your MA dissertation in Norway and to afterwards carry on to PhD research or make immediate impact upon employment in a relevant field such as teaching.
Indicative assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework 5,000 word essay |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework 5,000 word essay |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
Formative: During the teaching period, you will be required to submit detailed essay plan, two part drafts and a full draft of your essay to the module convenor for feedback. You will receive written comments on each of these within 2 weeks of submission. Further feedback will be provided during five one-to-one tutorials which will be evenly spaced throughout the semester. These are designed to help you with the skills needed to successfully conduct individual and original MA-level work/research.
Summative: You will receive written feedback on your summative assessment within 20 working days of submission. This is normally sent via email. You are welcome to discuss this written feedback with the module convenor, your pastoral supervisor, the YorkCourse Co-ordinator and/or the NSC Director.
Indicative reading
You will be required to research the topic of your essay for yourself using a mix of up-to-date textbooks, specialised books and journals. You will receive training in finding and using academic resources in the weekly separate compulsory research training seminars.
Primary Course Text - Required Reading
- Ratcliffe, Peter. 'Race', Ethnicity and Difference: Imagining the Inclusive Society. Open University Press, 2004.
Additional Reading
- Alibhai-Brown, Yasmin. Mixed Feelings: the complex lives of mixed-race Britons. London : Women's press, 2001.
- Goulbourne, Harry. Race relations in Britain since 1945. Social History in Perspective series. Gen. Ed. Jeremy Black. London : MacMillan. 1998.
- Modood, Tariq & Richard Berthoud et al eds. Ethnic minorities in Britain : diversity and disadvantage. London : Policy Studies Institute, 1997.
- Phillips, Mike & Trevor Phillips. Windrush: the irresistible rise of multi-racial Britain . London : Harpercollins, 1999.
- Visram, Rozina. Asians in Britain : 400 years of history. London : Pluto Press, 2002.
In addition to the above, there is a growing collection of texts available in the NSC library.
The University Library at York has numerous holdings on multiculturalism, race relations, etc. Look under call numbers D1.450942 and H2.642. As this is an area of contemporary cultural studies that is constantly developing, keep an eye out for new publications and new statistics. You'll find that older works (published before 1990, say) may use different terminology and classifications: be aware that as more and different people study and discuss race, cultural and ethnic relations, definitions and concepts will change.