Race and Ethnicity in a Global Context

This module interrogates the complexities of the highly relevant ideological and social category of race. By exploring constructions of race through time and space we seek to question the assumption of race as a straightforward category and show how it is consistently shaped by a range of contextual variants.

The module is constructed around a series of case studies, through which you will explore racial construction and discrimination through a variety of critical and theoretical perspectives. These case studies are fully international and race will be embedded critically in a global context.

At the end of the module you will be equipped to engage critically with contemporary political discourses and to tackle with nuance the complexities of race in the modern world.

By the end of the module, you will be able to:

• Identify key debates related to race and ethnicity historically in global context with a focus on the Atlantic world.
• Analyse the impact of colonialism and social theories in the development of understandings of race.
• Assess forms of engagement with questions related to race and ethnicity in representative examples of cultural productions.
• Examine the role of race in contemporary debates around equality, diversity and inclusion. 
• Assess the nuances and tensions related to race relations in colonial and post-colonial contexts.
• Develop soft skills embedded in cultural and global awareness, offering insights into different contexts.
• Develop an appetite for knowledge and research in a reflective, analytical, adaptive and collaborative manner.

The standard entry requirements comprise:

• A 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent,
• A CV and personal statement outlining your reasons for study,
• English language band C (for example, IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in reading & writing and 6.0 in listening & speaking).

You will be assessed through a 3,000 word assignment.

This module is taught online and you will be expected to attend live webinars as part of your programme of studies. In most cases, modules will have more than one webinar group, which will be scheduled at different times of the day so students can make reasonable efforts to attend the sessions from where they are based in the world. In some cases, however, modules might only have one webinar group available. The day and time of webinar sessions will be available in the Global Cultures Hub on KEATS upon enrolment and are normally scheduled on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays. In the webinars you will have an opportunity to critically explore the module contents in more depth within small groups. These will be facilitated by your tutor and held via MS Teams. These 60-minute live sessions normally take place once a week and run throughout the six weeks of the teaching period. The sessions might include (but are not limited to) breakout rooms to discuss topics in smaller groups; open-floor discussion; presentations from students; debates; and close-reading analysis. The most important aspects of these sessions are interaction and participation. It is paramount that you prepare in advance and take an active role in these sessions. Webinars are not recorded. If you miss a session, you are encouraged to use the weekly forums to catch up on the discussion and get in touch with your study group. Module tutors will provide feedback on the forum posts where applicable and may offer slots during ‘office hours’ (availability may vary) to discuss specific queries.

This module is offered as part of our flexible master’s awards in Professional Development. The awards are one of the most flexible currently offered in the UK, providing the opportunity to study a range of modules from across King’s, both on-campus and online. Whether you are looking for a promotion or to retrain, you have come to the right place.

Designed for mature professionals juggling life and work commitments, our postgraduate awards will enable you to study at your own pace. In challenging financial times, you are also able to fund your studies module-by-module. We will support you to select the right module diet that meets your objectives while ensuring that you are well prepared for success. We will also help you to build your professional network of peers from across our suite of CPD modules.

We can’t wait for you to continue your lifelong learning journey here at King’s.