Sociology and Criminology

The Alchemy of Race and Racism (Spring)

Module code: L3125B
Level 5
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Workshop
Assessment modes: Portfolio

On this module, you’ll explore how race and racism can be understood, traced and resisted across time, space and social positions.

You’ll examine:

key concepts such as race, racialisation and racism
examine what these key concepts (have the potential to) do in practice
which definitions are more and which are less helpful
the political economy of the formation of ideas about race
the structural embedding of these ideas within different contexts – including the Americas and Europe
the emergence of multiple registers of ‘Otherness’
the solidifying of ideas of ‘Whiteness’ and ‘Europeanness’
how racism persists and operates today
case studies of ‘doing race’ through genetics and ancestry testing
the criminalisation of bodies and their movement
how racism can be resisted through everyday intimacies and social struggles
paradigms of redress, such as reparations and abolitionism.

Critically reflect on and apply conceptual approaches to the study of race and social inequality (specifically racialisation and racism) to real-world events, biomedical and technological innovations (and where relevant, personal experience).
Independently research academic and non-academic sources and critically appraise diverse sources of knowledge.
Make appropriate use of concepts and empirical data to produce an academically informed written assessment and produce a coherent narrative.
Critically evaluate the relevance of history and positionality in crafting a reflexive written/visual/audio account of the central themes and debates introduced in this module.