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SSJ10090

Academic Year 2026/2027

Social Justice Perspectives (SSJ10090)

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

Curricular information is subject to change.

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the interdisciplinary subject of Social Justice and to equip them with the conceptual tools to look critically at the world we live in and the different ways in which knowledge about it is produced. We live in a world divided by various forms of injustice –in which some kinds of people and some ways of looking at the world are privileged while others are marginalised. During this module we will explore what is meant by social justice and social injustice and draw on concepts, themes and perspectives from the social justice literature to assist us in thinking analytically and critically about various forms of injustice and how these can be understood and addressed.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the module, students should be able to:
1. Understand and explain key concepts and themes relevant to social justice
2. Have a developing understanding of the diversity of perspectives on matters related to social justice
3. Apply relevant concepts and themes to reflect critically on social relations and social problems from a social justice perspective
4. Critically reflect on how knowledge about social injustice is produced
5. Understand how different kinds of research evidence can be utilised in understanding, explaining and challenging inequality and injustice
6. Communicate knowledge and understanding effectively

Indicative Module Content:

Conceptualising Social Justice and Social Injustice; Equality; Oppression; Privilege; Equality; Critical perspectives on knowledge production

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Novice

Critical Thinking

The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Novice

Systems Thinking

The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Novice

Strategic

The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Novice

Integrated Problem Solving

The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Self-awareness

The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Novice

Normative

The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Novice

Anticipatory

The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Novice

Digital Literacy and Judgement

The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Novice

AI Literacy & Agency

The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Tutorial

5

Specified Learning Activities

50

Autonomous Student Learning

40

Total

119


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; in-class activities and discussions; tutorials; group activities; set readings
Students are expected to carry out analysis, produce arguments and write-up assignments without the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) programmes. The use of AI to produce content for assignments or to complete quizzes or other assessment activities is not permitted in this module and will be regarded as a breach of academic integrity. This includes using generative AI to structure assignments or to edit/improve student work.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

No prior learning required

Learning Exclusions:

No exclusions

Learning Recommendations:

n/a


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (Open Book): In-class assignment based on learning from readings/class content on weeks 1-7.
Week 9 Graded No
50
Yes
Group Work Assignment: Poster based on photographs taken by group members.
Week 12 Graded No
20
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Weekly discussion posts Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 10, Week 11 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
15
No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Quizzes throughout the module Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 10, Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
15
No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

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

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The assessment strategy for this module contains four components: for each of these a different feedback strategy will be used. 1) For the the in-class exam/assignment - feedback (written or audio) and provisional grade will be provided to students individually by the instructor via email or VLE. 2) There will be automated individual feedback (grades) for online quizzes 3) Group project/poster is end of semester assignment and involves presenting the posters - peer/instructor feedback will be provided in class 4) Weekly discussion posts are a peer learning activity - students will comment on each others posts on the VLE

Name Role
Dr Krisna Ruette-Orihuela Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Cimara Witte Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 16:00 - 17:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 3, 4, 6, 9, 11 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 3 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 4, 6, 9, 11 Tues 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 3, 4, 6, 9, 11 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 3, 4, 6, 9, 11 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Autumn Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 3, 4, 6, 9, 11 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50