Summary of content

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a fertile career path that some students may want to consider. Besides a specialisation in anti-discrimination law, this module gives them solid basis for a career in EDI and a significant advantage compared to students from other universities. That said, understanding social justice and the law in context, is an advantage for students, whichever career path they may want to follow.

The module is based on the assertion that advances/achievements in equality and against discrimination cannot be taken for granted. Although legislation tackling racism has existed for over 50 years, evidence of renewed forms of racism, for example, through hate crime, is a reminder of the complex dynamics of social relations and of equality’s frailty in hostile ideological, political and economic environments.

Similar threats and evidence of renewed forms of social injustice can be found in relation to all other ‘protected characteristics’ (Equality Act 2010); for example, the fact that despite decades of sophisticated sex equality legislation locally, regionally and internationally, there is still a considerable gender pay gap worldwide; there is a range of manifestations of misogyny in public and private settings; the sexual objectification and stereotypical representations of women in the media, including online, are rife; and respect for women’s dignity is still an unmet condition of justice - harassment is still a known common practice in private, professional and educational settings.

In response, the module takes a positive and proactive approach throughout, facilitating and encouraging the revision, evaluation, improvement and expansion of what has historically worked to promote change, challenging prejudice and discrimination (i.e. education, social contact, empathy, personal stories, peer support and pressure, protest and activism, critical thinking, media literacy, legal action and art). The module thus acknowledges that, whilst the pr

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