SP413 Half Unit
Understanding Social (Dis)advantage
This information is for the 2022/23 session.
Teacher responsible
Mr Samuel Mohun Himmelweit OLD 2.38
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Criminal Justice Policy, MSc in Inequalities and Social Science, MSc in International Social and Public Policy, MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Development), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (LSE and Fudan), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Migration), MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Non-Governmental Organisations) and MSc in International Social and Public Policy (Research). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
All Social Policy Courses are ‘Controlled Access’. Please see the link below for further details on the allocation process.
https://info.lse.ac.uk/current-students/services/course-choice/controlled-access-courses
Amongst non Social Policy students, priority for places is given to students on the MSc Inequalities and Social Science.
Course content
This course addresses the emergence, maintenance and dynamics of social advantage and disadvantage in different areas of life across different social groups. It explores inequalities in income, poverty & wealth, labour market position, family resources, education and crime. It examines social advantage and disadvantage with reference to social groups categorised in numerous ways including but not limited to gender, ethnicity, age as well as citizenship and migration status. It pays specific attention to intersectional, cumulative and relational processes in the reproduction of inequalities.
Teaching
Courses in Social Policy follow the Teaching Model outlined on the following page: https://www.lse.ac.uk/social-policy/Current-Students/teaching-in-the-department-of-social-policy
All teaching will be in accordance with the LSE Academic Code (https://info.lse.ac.uk/current-students/lse-academic-code) which specifies a "minimum of two hours taught contact time per week when the course is running in the Michaelmas and/or Lent terms". Social Policy courses are predominantly taught through a combination of in-person Lectures and In person classes/seminars. Further information will be provided by the Course Convenor in the first lecture of the course.
The course will be delivered in Lent term.
Formative coursework
In LT, students will be required to write a 1,200 word formative essay answering a question from a prior year's exam.
Indicative reading
The key background text for the course are several chapters in:
- Dean, H. & Platt, L. (eds) (2016) Social Advantage and Disadvantage. Oxford University Press.
Other indicative background reading:
- Atkinson, A.B. (2015). Inequality: What can be done? Harvard University Press.
- Collins, P.H. & Bilge, S. (2016) Intersectionality. Polity Press.
- Faist, T. (2016) 'Cross-Border Migration and Social Inequalities', Annual Review of Sociology, 42: 323-346.
- Milanovic, B. (2016). Global Inequality, The Belknap Press.
- Payne, G. (ed) (2013). Social Divisions. Third Edition. Palgrave Macmillan.
Assessment
Online assessment (100%).
The summative assessment for this course comprises an online assessment. Students must answer two out of seven questions that will be given a week in advance of the due date. The maximum word limit for each question is 1,200 words.
Key facts
Department: Social Policy
Total students 2021/22: 76
Average class size 2021/22: 8
Controlled access 2021/22: Yes
Lecture capture used 2021/22: Yes (LT)
Value: Half Unit
Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Specialist skills