This module spans both semesters and considers contested definitions, indicators and drivers of poverty. This module takes students through philosophical, sociological and economic visions of what poverty means. Students will learn about and begin to debate the differences between relative and absolute poverty and destitution and examine the drivers of poverty in addition to seeking solutions.
Broad topic areas considered will be viewed through the lens of Sustainable Livelihoods Analysis capitals. This is in order to link the definitions, indicators and drivers of poverty globally. It is here that the degree will introduce poverty as an International Development issue, alongside its strong UK teaching base.
Health, education, welfare, housing and employment, will be discussed through the lens of the five Sustainable Livelihoods Capitals, in order to offer context to policy drivers and proposed solutions.
The module considers the stereotypes and assumptions made about poverty and seeks to offer students a broad ranging set of critical analysis tools with which to begin the activism that sits at the heart of this degree.

Essay will assess LO’s 1 - 3 and the poster presentation will assess LO’s 3 & 4.

The essay will require students to give an overview and evaluation of the basic theoretical concepts, definitions and indicators of poverty. The essay will reflect the complexity and contested nature of definitions, reflecting on how poverty is defined and offering a consideration of what measures are used to monitor poverty and how these need to be evaluated.
The poster presentation will build on the students understanding of what poverty is and will develop their understanding of poverty, moving from defining contested concepts to evaluating an anti-poverty approach in a poster presentation format.
While each element of assessment is a stand-alone assessment, the poster presentation and subsequent feedback will feed into the module on careers and skills for social justice, developing students public speaking skills and presentation confidence. This connected approach to assessment further embeds constructive alignment, linking different modules and elements of learning to one another, allowing students to experience how each element contributes to the level and programme learning outcomes and helping them understand the separate skills they are gaining from the course.

This module will utilise the Blackboard VLE which will provide a structured framework for the delivery of this module. Delivery will include blended learning in order to encourage early independent learning alongside structured and well supported group seminars and tutorials.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (88 hours)
Whole group and small group seminars
Facilitated group workshops (virtual or face to face)
Online interactive exercises and activities via Blackboard VLE
Module and assessment support which may be virtual or face to face

Guided Independent Study: (312 hours)
120 hours independent study and wider reading, including researching web-based resources
100 hours preparing for workshops and follow up work & exercises
92 hours assessment preparation

1. Explain a range of measures and definitions of poverty
1. Knowledge & Understanding

2. Analyse theoretical perspectives that underlie the various academic definitions of
poverty.
2. Learning

3. Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving poverty and
hardship
3. Enquiry
5. Problem-solving

4. Apply basic concepts and principles of anti-poverty work to suitable case study
7. Application

PC/Internet Access
Websites: Institute for Fiscal Studies; Child Poverty Action Group; Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Bramley, G & Bailey, N (Eds) (2018), Poverty and social exclusion in the UK: Volume 2 - The dimensions of disadvantage. Bristol: Policy Press.
Dermott, E. and Main, G. (Eds) (2018), Poverty and Social Exclusion in the UK: Volume 1 - The nature and extent of the problem. Bristol: Policy Press.
Lansley, Stewart. & Mack, Joanna. (2015), Breadline Britain: the rise of mass poverty. London: Oneworld Publications Lister, R (2020) Poverty Polity Press, Bristol

This module will provide you with your first opportunity to understand and question popular understandings of poverty and hardship. You will first learn the differing measures of poverty and differentiate between relative and absolute poverty before considering broad topic areas such as health, education, welfare, housing and employment through a global and UK lens, in order to offer context to the drivers of, and potential solutions to, poverty and hardship. You will consider topics such as stigma, stereotypes associated with those experiencing poverty before examining and presenting an anti-poverty presentation.

When you have completed this module you will have a broad understanding of definitions, indicators and drivers of poverty as well as having the skills to debate and question the stereotypes and stigma so often associated with it.