Social Justice and Public Service
MA

Modules

• Social Justice From Theory To Practice Core

Social Justice From Theory To Practice (Core)

'Social Justice from Theory to Practice’ provides you with the necessary grounding in social justice from a theoretical and applied perspective. This module will consist of 24 hours of contact time across semester one and semester two consisting of evenings and weekends. Some distance learning will be possible.

Credits: 20

• Service-Learning Based Research Core

Service-Learning Based Research (Core)

This service-learning based module requires 150 hours minimum of volunteering and/or work in the charitable sector in service of the community. It will include the development of a portfolio which links the service to the community with the learning outcomes of the course and academic and practical research in the relevant field. The portfolio will include a reflective journal, a review of academic/think-tank articles, and a report or paper.

This is an independent study module, supported by supervision from one of the course team and by an appropriate member of staff at the organisation at which they are volunteering. The volunteering can take place at any time and will be limited to a UK registered charity. The student is responsible for organising the volunteering or paid service to the community, though advice will be given by the Course Lead. This module will be supported by group study seminars and workshops. If you are already working or volunteering in the charitable sector, this module can be based around that community service.

• Catholic Charities and Ecumenism Optional

Catholic Charities and Ecumenism (Optional)

This module will assess the influence of teaching about social justice from other Christian communities the contribution to the issues it addresses made by other churches and religious groups; it will also look at how social teaching has inspired faith-based charities and pressure groups, examining also some of the problems faced by these organisations.

Credits: 30

• Charity Finance and Investment Optional

Charity Finance and Investment (Optional)

Managing cash and other financial resources are essential to a charity’s survival and its pursuit of charitable aims. Finances need careful management and shrewd investment to ensure balanced books at the end of each financial year. The dissolution of Kidz Company in 2015 highlights what goes wrong when charities fail to manage and monitor their finances and investments properly.

This module explores management accounting and social accounting, as well as, investment, tax, trading and social return on investment (SROI) all relating to charities and the regulatory statements of recommended practice (SORPs).

Credits: 20

• Ethical Issues at the Beginning of Life Optional

Ethical Issues at the Beginning of Life (Optional)

This module analyses the key principles, concepts and theory concerning the understanding of the beginning of human life. Complimenting BML7014 and BML7017, this module will explore more thematic issues that will bring context to the theory and offer further scope for critique and reflection of the central social and ethical questions. The module will examine some of the key advances in assisted reproductive technologies and biotechnology, whilst also looking to the future and considering the implications and issues that are likely to shape the agenda in the coming years.

Aims

• To explore ethical issues concerning the bringing to be of new human life and the protection of the neonate.
• To consider the ethical implications of new reproductive technologies.
• To help students apply conclusions from reflection on the philosophy and theology of the human being to specific moral questions.

Assessment: 3,000 word contribution to group wiki (60%); 2,000 word portfolio contribution to wiki (40%)

Credits: 20

• Ethical Issues at the End of Life Optional

Ethical Issues at the End of Life (Optional)

This module analyses the key principles, concepts and theory concerning the understanding of the end of human life. Building upon the central philosophical and medical law concepts covered in the core modules (BML7014 and BML7017) this module will explore more thematic issues that will bring context to the theory and offer further scope for critique and reflection of the central social and ethical questions. The module will consider the ethical implications of modern medicine on end of life decision-making.

Aims

• To explore ethical issues concerning the approach of death and the direct or indirect bringing about of death.
• To consider the principles of consent and beneficence in the treatment of dying patients.
• To help students apply conclusions from reflection on the philosophy and theology of the human being to particular moral questions.

Assessment: 3,000 word position paper (60%); 2,000 word discussion paper (40%)

Credits: 20

• Global Development, the Environment and the Market Optional

Global Development, the Environment and the Market (Optional)

The last taught module will examine global development and care for the created order, drawing on the work of agencies such as CAFOD and Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, looking also at the Market, different economic models and business ethics in the light of social teaching and the rest of the Christian theological tradition.

Credits: 20

• Human Rights and Migration Optional

Human Rights and Migration (Optional)

Justice systems at a national, international and transnational level exist to mediate rights for individuals and groups. In an age of migration, border control, trafficking and governance of migration are emerging themes in criminology. What are the limitations of the sovereign state? What are the limitations of international legal instruments to protect human rights? How can security be achieved for all? Building on these questions, students will critically examine the governance of migration and how European states deal with problems of law, order and inclusion. The study of human rights institutions, processes and practices will enable students to address current dilemmas associated with migration such as state sovereignty, security, inclusion, inequality and citizenship.

• International Non-Governmental Organisations Optional

International Non-Governmental Organisations (Optional)

This module is designed to prepare students to understand the unique culture and characteristics of international NGOs, looking at what an INGO does, how they operate, and what challenges they face. In essence, this module focuses on building knowledge across primary standards, theories & concepts in relation to the INGO / third sector as well as the trends and challenges facing the international development and humanitarian aid sector. This includes exploring aspects such as:

• Primary tools and concepts used to manage and run an INGO (organisational structure, project management, practical tools).
• The complex relationships between INGOs / Governments / Private sector and how to navigate those relationships in the field.
• The importance of the collaboration with local NGOs / charities and communities (and how to collaborate with those actors).

Credits: 20

• Global Governance Optional

Global Governance (Optional)

This course investigates cooperation and discord in international organisation. While evaluating theoretical debates and examining a selection of inter-governmental organisation, the focus is on broader questions of how the global system is organised, and whether there can ever be international consensus on ‘values’ and approaches to issues such as Human Rights given differing national interests and different cultural backgrounds (for example within the UN system).

Students interrogate the role that power and coercion play, the inequalities and marginalisation in the international system, the nature and role of non-state actors, and the content of the global political agenda.

The course critically evaluates different forms of governance from grassroots to regional governance, from global multilateral negotiations to economic crisis management. Questions about the continuity and change of global governance are addressed both holistically and in the case of specific institutions.

Credits: 20

• Governance and Statutory Accounting Optional

Governance and Statutory Accounting (Optional)

The role of trustee within a charity’s organisational structure was often regarded as symbolic rather than a role yielding great influence. However trustees have substantial responsibility in terms of the governance of a charity and also ensuring financial probity of the organisation. This duty is in effect delegated by them to the CEO and the Treasurer within the charity, but delegation does not negate responsibility.

Consequently, this module examines issues such as statutory accounting and audit, the role of independent examiners, the legislative background behind these new statutory instruments, and the impact of fraud on charities.

Credits: 20

• Issues in Education and International Development Optional

Issues in Education and International Development (Optional)

The module aims to provide students with an awareness of the political, social, cultural and economic contexts in which young people live their lives and educational governance, policy-making, planning, provision, teaching and learning take place within low and middle-income countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. 

The module will be particularly relevant and helpful for students interested in working within the education and non-profit sectors in both domestic and international settings (e.g. Government, NGOs, bilaterals, multilaterals, charities). 

Credits: 20

• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking: Policy, Prevention and Protection Optional

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking: Policy, Prevention and Protection (Optional)

Beginning with a broad overview of forms of slavery from historical perspectives up to more recent accounts of modern slavery and human trafficking, this module will familiarise students with multi-disciplinary approaches to the study of trafficking and slavery, from sociology, criminology, law, economics, media and politics. Students will examine a range of sources including academic research, policy documents, media representations and statistical information to engage critically with received ideas, popular and policy discourses about modern slavery and human trafficking. Current research from the Centre for the Study of Modern Slavery (CSMS) will contribute to developing a critical and up-to-date knowledge base on this topic. Students will be encouraged to attend seminars and conferences organised by the Centre for the Study of Modern Slavery throughout the year.

• Religious Bioethics and Faith in the Public Square Optional

Religious Bioethics and Faith in the Public Square (Optional)

This module seeks to give a wider appreciation of bioethical issues as seen from various religious perspectives and in the broader context of secularism and debate in the public square. The module explores the significance of religion and spirituality in healthcare. The module covers the implications of some aspects of religious law and conscientious objection as well as the practical implications of multi-faith in a healthcare setting.

Aims

• To explore and delineate the meaning of religious bioethics.
• To contextualise religious approaches within the public debate on bioethics.
• To consider aspects of religious law and conscientious objection in relation to bioethical questions.
• To consider the approaches and areas of concern in Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu perspectives in bioethics.
• To identify the main sources of moral reflection for major world religions.
• To reflect on the multi-faith and spiritual nature of healthcare.
• To explore bioethical issues from various religious perspectives.

Assessment: 3,000 word essay (60%); 20 minute oral group dialogue (40%)

Credits: 20

• Responsible and Ethical Leadership in Management and Finance Optional

Responsible and Ethical Leadership in Management and Finance (Optional)

This module will ensure that students understand how to reason ethically and how to approach ethical decision making within business and other management contexts, such as non-profit and third sector organisations. Students will understand how unethical or reckless leadership of businesses and other organisations can give rise to malpractice, undermine the viability of an organisation and lead to the collapse of corporate reputation whilst also harming wider society. In relation to business corporations, models of governance and frameworks that emphasise the primacy of shareholders will be considered as well as alternative models. The importance of corporate purpose will be discussed.

In analysing how the principles of responsible decision-making should operate through management, ownership and governance, students will apply ethical thinking to real-life business and leadership situations thus helping them to become ethical decision makers and ethical leaders in the context in which they work.

The module will include a particular emphasis on unethical behaviour in the financial sector and in financial functions of other corporate organisations. The module will also address ethical and legal obligations in relation to personal data as well as the treatment of employees and environmental issues.

In a module of this type, it is not possible to examine all ethical and belief systems in detail. Students will be free to investigate this subject more deeply in their dissertation/consultancy project.

• Social Entrepreneurship Optional

Social Entrepreneurship (Optional)

Social enterprise is an ethical and sustainable way of doing business as it reinvests profits or surpluses back into socio-environmental concerns. This approach has reinvigorated the third sector as it uses innovative business and management methodologies to overcome societal problems. Currently, there are approximately 70,000 social enterprises in the UK contributing £24bn to the economy.

Within this module, policy-minded students will be challenged to think creatively about potential solutions to public challenges; entrepreneurially inclined students will be challenged to analyse rigorously the economic, social, and political context that defines entrepreneurial opportunity.

Credits: 20