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SSJ10020

Academic Year 2025/2026

Global Justice: Towards an Egalitarian Global Order (SSJ10020)

Subject:
Social Justice
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Soc Pol, Soc Wrk & Soc Justice
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Marie Moran
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The objective of this module is to equip students with a clear understanding of and critical perspective on global injustices. We will cover a range of related topics, which will normally include global poverty and inequality; colonialism and post-colonialism; debt and development; neoliberal capitalism; trade, transnational corporations and international tax justice; global gender relations; the global fashion industry; migration; ‘race’ and racism; and environmental justice and climate change. The module will encourage and enable students to analyse inequalities across the economic, political, social and cultural spheres of global society, and to think critically about relations of power at a global level. The module will also explore the role of different groups and institutions in creating or challenging systems of global inequality, including the International Financial Institutions, the United Nations, the G8, transnational corporations, the media, development agencies, NGOs, and social movements.

In addition, we will explore the ways in which development and global justice issues are represented within a European context. Students will be encouraged to reflect upon their own role within global social systems, as global citizens and future professionals. Ways of potentially creating a more sustainable and egalitarian world will be explored throughout.


We encourage you to search for other School of Social Justice (SSJ) modules which include options relating to Equality Studies and Women's Studies. Graduates who have completed at least 15 credits of undergraduate electives offered by the School of Social Justice will have this noted on their UCD transcripts as the completion of Structured Electives in Social Justice.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should have developed their ability to:
1. Summarize and explain forces and factors underlying major inequalities globally.
2. Engage with a range of social concepts and theories which help explain global injustices.
3. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate social, political and economic issues within the field of global justice, from a normative and analytical perspective, judging the validity of conclusions reached against available knowledge.
4. Demonstrate critical knowledge of what changes may be required to create a more egalitarian global order.
5. Communicate knowledge and understanding of a range of global justice issues in a clear and coherent manner

Indicative Module Content:

Global poverty and inequality; colonialism and post-colonialism; debt and development; neoliberal capitalism; trade, transnational corporations and international tax justice; global gender relations; the global fashion industry; migration and refugees; ‘race’ and racism; the media and representations of development; environmental justice and climate change.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

40
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

24
Total

124

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; critical writing; reflective learning; enquiry & problem-based learning; peer-to-peer learning through discussion; case studies.

Please note: Students are expected to produce assignments without the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) programmes. The use of AI to produce content for assignments or other assessment activities is not permitted in this module and will be regarded as a breach of academic integrity

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

This is a Level 1 course so there are no pre-requisites


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Global Justice (EQUL10020)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Three Critical reading and annotation exercises, involving explanation of key concepts and arguments, and identification of relevance to real world issues, with additional peer-learning element Week 5, Week 8, Week 11 Graded No
90
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Engagement in in-class learning activities on a weekly basis; students must complete 10 out of 12 weeks (2 weeks 'free pass' system); overall grade calculated in week 12 Week 12 Graded No
10
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive both individual and general feedback on the critical reading and annotation exercise, which shall focus on areas for improvement. Students will also receive feedback from, and provide feedback for, peers. All feedback will help students to improve their comprehension of key concepts and arguments in core texts, and their ability to apply them to real world contexts.

Name Role
Dr John McGuire Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Krisna Ruette-Orihuela Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Dorota Szelewa Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Judy Walsh Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 13:00 - 14:50
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