Explore UCD

UCD Home >

SSJ38300

Academic Year 2025/2026

Using Research for Social Justice (SSJ38300)

Subject:
Social Justice
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Soc Pol, Soc Wrk & Soc Justice
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr John McGuire
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will support learners to use research critically and confidently for the purposes of supporting social justice advocacy and campaigning. During the module learners will draw on a social justice lens to critically engage with research evidence . Learners will develop their skills in database searching and in synthesising and critically reviewing research literature on topics related to social justice. Individuals will produce reports based on critical review of literature on a selected topic related to social justice advocacy and campaigning. Individual reports will provide the basis for a group presentation.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completing this module students should be able to:
- understand the significance of social research to advancing social justice
- explain and critique different approaches to research from a social justice perspective
- source, synthesise and critique existing research on social issues using a social justice lens
- utilise existing research to promote understanding about the causes and/or consequences of / solutions to social injustice
- utilise existing research critically and effectively to support social justice advocacy and campaigning
- - collaborate effectively in using research to advance social justice

Indicative Module Content:

Research through a social justice lens; critically appraising research; doing a literature review; using research for social justice advocacy and campaigning

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

14

Seminar (or Webinar)

2

Practical

6

Computer Aided Lab

2

Specified Learning Activities

24

Autonomous Student Learning

154

Total

202


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, workshops, group and individual activities
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 assessment activities is not permitted in this module and will be regarded as a breach of academic integrity.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Individual report based on critical review of literature on a topic related to social justice. Week 11 Graded No
75
No
Assignment(Including Essay): overview of themes and findings for group work purposes Week 10 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
5
No
Group Work Assignment: Group presentation Week 12 Graded No
10
No
Group Work Assignment: Participation in groupwork activities Week 10, Week 11 Other No
10
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer 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

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group feedback post-presentation Individual feedback post-assessment on the report

Name Role
Assoc Professor Dorota Szelewa 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, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 23 Thurs 10:00 - 11:50
Spring Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - 24 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Computer Aided Lab Offering 2 Week(s) - 24 Mon 11:00 - 11:50