PP0434 - Inequalities and Social Justice

What will I learn on this module?

In this module you will be introduced to a range of concepts and theories related to Public Health, Social Determinants of Health, Needs analysis, and User Involvement. You will explore a wide curriculum including Inequalities in health, mechanisms for need assessment and user participation. You will debate emergent themes and issues based upon contemporary research in his field. The Module aims to introduce you to the concepts and principles related to Public Health, Inequalities in Health, and Needs Assessment. This will enable you to explore and debate theoretical positions related to inequalities, social justice, and the analysis of need. The Module aims to give you a firm theoretical basis to explore these issues in subsequent Levels of your degree, and to support your conceptual understanding of contemporary debates about inequality and social justice within integrated health and social care.

How will I learn on this module?

Teaching and learning strategies for this module will include lectures to outline the main concepts, trends and theories. Facilitated group discussions will be integral to the module where you will explore key concepts in more depth to draw out individual and collective analysis. You will be expected to engage with directed independent study tasks, as well as working in informal groups to present your ideas. Online forums and discussion groups will also be introduced to enhance your learning.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Lecturers will facilitate seminar groups to support academic development. You will have access to lecturers at specifically designated times via online forums; email; group tutorials and one to one meetings. Formative and summative assessment tasks include ‘feedforward’ in preparation for assignments, and ‘feedback’ to identify aspects of students’ strengths and also aspects which require development. Contact details for all tutors for this module are available in the module handbook and via the Electronic Learning Portal (eLP).

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. You will identify relevant emerging issues and themes which impact upon ‘health and inequalities’
2. You will discuss the potential impact of emergent themes upon diverse populations in the UK and Europe

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. You will engage in research to identify divergent sources related to specific themes.
4. You will engage in discussions about how new knowledge challenges/concurs with existing theories regarding ‘inequalities’ and health.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. You will develop enhanced awareness of the impact of gender; ethnicity, sexuality; disability; age and social location upon health outcomes.

How will I be assessed?

Summative
You will be given a choice of assignment titles which will reflect the curriculum focus and the current research in this field, (for example, Discuss how ‘needs’ are interpreted and assessed in health and social care: What is meant by ‘the Social Determinants of Health’, and what are the mechanisms by which they affect health outcomes?).
You will receive feedback by:
Written comments on assessed work, highlighting strengths and weaknesses and indicating pathways to the further development of knowledge and skills. Areas of concern will be linked to positive advice on how to address issues.

Formative
You will work in study groups to identify and discuss emerging issues. Groups will
produce a presentation which will be supplemented by an individual written reflection of 500 words

You will receive feedback from Peers and from Tutors verbally during designated feedback sessions.

Where necessary students will be seen individually to discuss issues of concern.

Advice will be given on how to improve writing skills, analysis and referencing throughout the module.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module is designed to introduce you to the concepts and principles related to Inequalities in Health, Needs Assessment and social justice. This will enable you to explore theoretical positions related to these issues. The Module aims to give you a firm theoretical basis to explore deeper exploration of these issues in subsequent Levels, and to support your conceptual understanding of contemporary debates within integrated health and social care. You will be required to engage in small scale reviews of contemporary research to identify emerging themes/debates. Learning strategies in this module are centred upon you researching; identifying and discussing contemporary research on relevant topics. This will occur in seminar and lecture activities. You will be supported through lectures and seminar activities to compare current research with seminal texts, exploring theoretical differences, as well as the evolution of research methodologies related to the study of integrated health and social care.

Course info

UCAS Code L5L6

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

Health and Social Care BSc (Hons)

All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

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All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

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