SSJ10100 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Social Groups Assessment 2026 | UCD

SSJ10100 Assignment brief

Compile a report detailing a key social group or your choice (e.g. migrants, inmates, people living with HIV, older people, girls, etc), and present it in an electronic poster format that shows your research, argument and findings in an accessible and informative manner.  

Your target audience is the general public, academics, and NGOs, so you should use an accessible and inclusive language for this diverse audience. Identify core issues within your social group and frame your discussion within the concepts and theoretical concepts discussed in the module.

What are the aims of this poster?

• Describe multiple intersectional dimensions that contributes to inequality within your chosen social group.
• Apply concepts and ideas discussed in class related to inequalities, intersectionality, social justice and equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Your topic should be an illustration of a particular issue that impacts the lives of your chosen social group from the Global North or the Global South.

Be sure to include the following elements on the digital poster:

• Title
• Name (last name, first name)
• Introduction: Overview about your social group (e.g. some statistics, geographical location, intersectional inequalities, etc). Make sure to specify the issue you are discussing that illustrates the multiple dimensions in the lives of your chosen social group.
• EDI and Intersectionality: How your chosen group illustrates an issue of equality, diversity, inclusion and the framework of intersectionalities.
• Analysis: This will make up the main body of the poster, and can be organised as best suited for your purposes. For example, if you feel that the problem has more than one component, you could organise your analysis that way. You must rely on the academic literature and sources discussed in class, to provide a clear analysis of the problem.
• Conclusion: a short summary of the nature of the problem, and how the framework of EDI and intersectionalities were used to frame your issue within your social group.
• List of References. You must use a recognised citation style to identify all sources (e.g. Harvard Style). Become familiar with UCD guidelines on Academic Integrity and how to avoid plagiarism. No need to list references that are not cited in the poster). The information/data presented in the posters. Statistics, arguments, findings and concepts developed by researchers, organizations or institutions should be linked to specific references by using in-text citations (e.g Foucault 1977. When using a direct quote, the intext citation must include the page number, for example (e.g. Foucault 1977: 87).

Technical Details:

• The expected word count for this assignment is 750 words, excluding the references. (minimum 700; maximum 800 words).
• It should fit all information into one page (A3 or A4, but keep the word count).
• While your digital poster should be largely text-based, it should also include at least one infographic (e.g. figure, table, chart, etc) that presents statistical or quantitative information, and at least one image. It is up to you whether you want to include more images or tables, but if you do, make sure it does not take away from the space available for your required text.
• Microsoft powerpoint offers a relatively simple way of designing a poster. See guidelines HERE.

Submission:

• You are required to submit your digital poster via Brightspace on or before by Wednesday, 8 May at the end of the day. This is your official record of submission, and will be treated as such by the School. Poster submitted after the deadline as recorded by Safe Assign will be subject to late penalties.

Criteria for Assessment

• Knowledge/Evidence of Reading: Your poster should demonstrate good knowledge of and evidence of study of the issues covered. It is important that the poster demonstrates evidence of reading of course materials. This assignment will also require some independent research beyond course materials, which may include online resources from global justice organisations. You must include a minimum of 5 academic sources, at least some of which should be taken from your module readings lists.
• Understanding: The poster should demonstrate a good understanding of the key issues involved, reflecting appropriate engagement with relevant ideas and concepts examined in the module. You must show how the topic you have focused on matters from the frameworks of EDI and intersectionalities. You should use your own words to describe the key issues and solutions you cover and avoid lengthy quotations.
• Analysis/Argument: The poster presentation should demonstrate an ability to bring your own critical and analytical skills to bear on the relevant issues. Overall, the poster should have a clear sense of purpose and the issues discussed should relate coherently to each other.
• Presentation: The poster should be well presented with minimal spelling or grammar mistakes. The language used should be clear and concise. Information should be presented in a logically organised, accessible and visually appealing way. The poster must include at least one graphic (image-based) and one infographic/table (numeric).
• Use of Sources/Referencing: Scholarly sources and reliable evidence should be used to support your main claims and arguments, and over-reliance on journalistic or online resources should be avoided. It is extremely important that all sources of information are correctly acknowledged and cited. All sources should be listed in your list of references.

MODULE DESCRIPTION

This module explores the experiences of diverse social groups in society through the lenses of social justice, intersectionality and decoloniality. It provides an overview of the multiple factors that create power, hegemony and privilege of certain groups and marginalisation and exclusion of others. Students will be exposed to the analysis of groups such as migrants, sexual minorities; homelessness; persons with disabilities; race and ethnic minoritised groups; inmates; boys and men; girls and women; and younger and older people. We will discuss case studies from different cultural contexts while also gaining a better understanding of ourselves through the comparative study of multiple social groups.

LEARNING OUTCOMES 

Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Understand the multiple intersectional dimensions that contribute to inequality within and between social groups, including but not limited to race, gender, sexuality, age, disability, and social class;
2. Understand the role of power, privilege and hegemony in creating systems of hierarchy and oppression of social groups both locally and globally;
3. Apply critical thinking skills to identify and challenge discriminatory practices and attitudes in society and in our everyday lives;
4. Gain a better understanding of ourselves through the comparative study of social groups and promoting social justice.

UCD ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

Mental Health and Wellbeing

UCD seeks to ensure that the promotion of mental health and wellbeing is part of the UCD Student Experience The university experience can be exciting and invigorating but it can also be stressful. Safeguarding our mental health and wellbeing is a concern for all of us and all members of the UCD community share in the responsibility of promoting an inclusive environment which supports the promotion, protection, and restoration of mental health and wellbeing. See HERE.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and Dignity and Respect

UCD is committed to equality, diversity and Inclusion. All members of the University community  should be able to pursue their work and education in a safe environment that promotes dignity & respect, and is free of any form of harassment, intimidation or bullying.

Temporary Exam Support

Temporary Exam Supports are intended for students who have an injury or temporary condition. Please email me explaining your illness or temporary condition which is affecting your ability to complete your exams in order to organise such supports. More information HERE.

Extenuating Circumstances

Extenuating circumstances are serious, unforeseen circumstances beyond your control which prevent you from meeting the requirements of your programme. If you are unable to complete assignments or attend required classes/exams due to unforeseen circumstances, you can apply for extenuating circumstances. See information HERE.

Disability Support

If you are facing a barrier to access in my class, I invite you to talk with me about it. Any information disclosed will be treated with confidentiality and respect. You should also communicate your need for support and accommodation to UCD Access & Lifelong Learning.

Writing Centre

UCD Writing Centre provides free consultations on any aspect of academic writing to all undergraduate and postgraduate students. Bring your writing sample and the writing tutors will talk to you about your writing process and offer strategies for improving your writing skills. The Writing Centre is based in the James Joyce Library. They offer both in-person and online sessions, and you can book your place here: www.ucd.ie/writingcentre.

Digital Identity

The library has created tutorials on Digital Literacy and Digital Identities. Take these tutorials and become familiar with this topic HERE.

Intercultural learning

UCD is committed to inclusive learning and celebrates our diverse and intercultural community of students, academics and staff. Intercultural learning is about the opportunity and experiences of working with and learning from people across different cultures [Learn More]. My module seeks to foster an intercultural environment where, respect, empathy and compassion are core values in education and part of everyday life interactions across our UCD campus.

Academic integrity and avoiding Plagiarism

Academic Integrity is one of the core values in academic activity. You are expected to be familiar with UCD’s policies governing student affairs and conduct, including plagiarism. See UCD guidelines on academic integrity HERE. Plagiarism is a serious violation of university codes on academic integrity, this includes plagiarising material from the web, printed sources, other students’ work, or any other source, including artificial intelligence. The library has completed comprehensive training on Academic integrity on Brightspace. Training HERE.”

ASSESSMENT

The ‘Assessment’ component on Brightspace is your gateway for completing and submitting assignments on the module, including the online completion of the quiz (MCQ) and the uploading of your end-of-term assignment (digital poster). You will be provided further information on completing and submitting your assignments in class. This module is allocated 5 credits, which will be awarded on satisfactory completion of the module and successful completion of the associated assessments.

1) Mid-term Quiz (30%)

There will be ONE quiz (“multiple choice questionnaire” MCQ) in term, which will be used to assess your grasp of some of the main concepts, facts, explanations and theories discussed in the module. The questions will be drawn from material covered in each of the weekly learning units, specifically from the required readings and lectures. Therefore, while preparation for the MCQ will require careful attention to the lecture slides and weekly readings, it will not require further independent study. The quiz will not test you on any information contained in the supplementary reading list.

The quiz is comprised of 20 questions, and you will have 30 minutes to complete it. (40 minutes if you are formally registered for learning supports).

Topic: The questions will be based on material covered from week two (02) to week seven (07) inclusive.

Timing: The quiz will be available on Brightspace on Wednesday 26th March at 5pm, to Thursday 27th March at 5pm, giving you a 24-hour window to take the test.

Once you open the quiz, you will be randomly allocated a subset of 20 questions from a larger sample. This means each student will have a slightly different order and combination of questions from the same pool.  Please note that once you start the ‘MCQ Graded Test’, you will not have the option to come in and out of the test – it must be completed once it has started. Remember to click the “Submit Quiz” button at the end.

2) End-of-term Digital Poster (70%)

Prepare a digital poster on a key social group of your choice, and present it in an electronic poster format that documents your research, argument and findings in an accessible and informative manner. Your target audience is the general public, academics, and NGOs, so you should use an accessible and inclusive language for this diverse audience. Identify core issues within your social group and frame your discussion within the concepts and theoretical frameworks discussed in the module.

Deadline: Wednesday, 7^th May by the end of the day. *** See FAQs about assignments HERE

MODULE SCHEDULE

INTRODUCTION: KEY CONCEPTS

Lecturer: Dr. Ernesto Vasquez del Aguila

This introductory session provides a foundational understanding of key concepts that will be further discussed in the module: social groups, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI); intersectionality, decoloniality, and social justice. We will analyse the dynamics of social groups to understand overlapping systems of privilege, marginalization, and power.