School of Sociology and Social Policy

Compulsory Modules

Debates on Disability Theory and Research gives you the opportunity to critically evaluate recent debates and developments within social research on disability. Not only will you discuss positivist, interpretative and 'emancipatory' methodologies, alongside associated data collection and analytical strategies, you will also examine their significance for disability research.

Through the module, you will investigate theoretical perspectives, the various definitions and approaches to impairment and disability, and disability as an equal opportunities and policy issue. You will explore the impact of myths and prejudices, industrialisation and the welfare state upon cultural representations of disability.

Advanced Ethnicity and Racism Studies will give you the tools to explore conceptual and theoretical debates within the sociology of 'race', and examine their implications for understanding and challenging problems of racism and racial inequality. Through this module, you will investigate the history of racism and ethnic minority settlement, the politicisation of race and the relevant legislation, race issues and the welfare state, and citizenship in a European context.

Disability, Ethnicity and Race Dissertation allows you to tailor your own programme of training and research in consultation with a member of staff drawn from the department's MA/PhD supervisory panel. Through the dissertation, you demonstrate your ability to develop and complete an in-depth analysis, select and use appropriate research methods, deploy advanced theoretical concepts and relate a focused study to broader Disability and Special Education debates and concerns.