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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 Karen Smith
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 social justice advocacy and campaigning. During the module learners will draw on a social justice lens to critically engage with research evidence and consider how it can be used in working towards social justice. 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. Individual reports will provide the basis for a group presentation which makes recommendations for social justice advocacy/campaigning and for future research based on findings from the research literature.

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
- 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 in 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): Draft individual assignment for the purposes of peer review & group work Week 9 Pass/Fail Grade Scale No
5
 No
Group Work Assignment: Group presentation Week 11 Graded No
10
 No
Group Work Assignment: Participation in groupwork activities Week 9, Week 10 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
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Self-assessment & peer review of draft report 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 Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 26 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
Spring Seminar Offering 1 Week(s) - 29 Fri 10:00 - 10:50
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, 25 Mon 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Computer Aided Lab Offering 2 Week(s) - 24, 25 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
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