Required prerequisite knowledge

Completion of the first semester in the master programme in Intercultural studies, NLA, Development studies, UCU or equivalent studies.

Relevance within study programme

Elective course in the master programme in Intercultural studies, NLA.

Elective course in the master programme in Development studies, UCU.

Elective course in the master programme of social work,UCU.

Introduction

This is a joint course between master programmes at Uganda Christian University (Uganda) and Intercultural Studies, NLA (Norway).

Learning outcomes descriptors

Knowledge

The student has

• Insights in varying approaches to social justice and empowerment theories
• Insights in key concepts and perspectives on discrimination
• Thorough knowledge of key concepts and perspectives in gender studies and cultural diversity studies, including;
  • Women in development - and ethnic minorities/cultural diversity
  • Women and development -and ethnic minorities/cultural diversity
  • Gender and development
  • Human rights based approach to social discrimination/deprivation
  • Capability approach to vulnerable groups

Skills

The student has

• Ability to analyse a text or situation in a gender sensitive manner
• Ability to do gender analysis
• Ability to transfer and apply theories of social justice and empowerment to other marginalized social groups.
• Can analyze assumptions, underlying principles and practices that affect equity and social justice across social groups.

General competence:

The student

• can apply and critically assess different theoretical approaches to understand social differences, cumulative disadvantages and forms of discrimination

Content

Two major challenges confronting public policy and services in modern times are how to overcome overt and subtle discrimination, and how to facilitate expansion of opportunity freedoms for persons from marginalized groups. Among the several pathways to realize these goals, the pursuit of tolerance of cultural diversity and cognitive and social justice, and the eradication of exploitation of one group by others remains a major focus. The empirical focus of the course is on development in the global South, with particular regard to Uganda, but the course also comprises perspectives and cases from the global North.

Students will be guided to analyze discourses on social justice, and on social and cultural differences and inequalities in the global South (Uganda) as well as the global North (Norway), and how state and society have responded over time to the growing demands for inclusive citizenship and social justice. The course highlights how policy instruments influence the process of income distribution across different social groups; how public or institutional policy can be used to address people–s freedoms across different social groups. Understanding the political and civil rights of varying categories of citizens, as well as their economic, social and cultural rights and capabilities provide important approaches in the course on Gender, Cultural Diversity, and social justice.

In addition, it points out the kinds of social research that have evolved around the theme of public policy, and the relations between public policy, social research and advocacy groups. The course also highlights intersectional theories to explain the situation of different social groups in society, ascribed by social markers such as gender, ethnicity and disability, and their relations with each other and implications for social justice. The ways in which life-course changes such as childhood, youth, motherhood, working life, ageing, disability among others are managed through various public policies will also be addressed.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures from campus to campus, online exchange between groups of students, observations, assignments, discussions and self-study. As a joint course with use of e-learning and exchange of staff both ways between Uganda and Norway, this course offer cultural training and internationalization also for non-mobile students and train comparative perspectives.

Scope

300 hours. This includes self study.

Coursework requirements

• Participation (class discussion, case study discussion)
• Group work with three group assignments
• Students should present In class two topics that need further explanation

Grading, coursework requirements

Approved / Not approved

Final assessment

4 hours written exam in an examination location.

Permitted aids under examination

Bilingual English dictionary or an English-English dictionary.

Grading, examination

ECTS grading scale from A to F, in which E or better is necessary in order to pass.

Assessment language

English.

Practice

None.

Incompatible courses

IKF 305

Course evaluation

Annually course evaluation in accordance with the quality assurance system for NLA University College. Students may also give their feedback on the course in the student group/ in class.

Other rules

Norwegian students should be aware that living and working in a developing country and/or in subtropics/tropic region requires good mental and physical health and due preparation in terms of medical prophylaxis. Cf. the UCU internship manual and guidelines for details on sick leave etc.

Available for Course Students

No.