This module aims to introduce the political narratives on hardship. The module will introduce the students to regime theory and political ideologies before critically analysing the language and media representations of poverty.

Topics will include:
Political Ideologies
Regime Theories
Myths and Stereotypes around Poverty and Hardship
Keep Talking (JRF, toolkit on language of Poverty)
Media Representations of Poverty; Poverty Porn, Chavs, Benefits Street.

The module is assessed by a report which will examine the political regime and ideologies that formed the basis of an anti-poverty campaign, analyse the use of language and media representations used within the campaign and critically assess how the campaign integrated the voices of people with lived experience of hardship and poverty.

The VLE Blackboard will provide a structured framework for the delivery of this module. A blended learning approach is adopted, which consists of directed and independent study. The module will involve whole-group and small group sessions and activities and will incorporate learning from, and working with, experts by experience. The module activity will consist of:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: (40 hours)
On campus and virtual seminars
Formative individual and group tasks and activities
On campus and virtual tutorial support (both group and individual)
Module assessment support

Guided Independent Study: (160 hours)
100 hours Research, reading, pre-session preparation
60 hours Assessment (formative and summative)

1. Compare political ideologies and regime theories
1. Knowledge and Understanding

2. Evaluate philosophical and ethical debates around the use of language when talking
about hardship and poverty.
2. Learning
3. Enquiry

3. Analyse the strengths-based approach to working with experts by experience
1. Knowledge and Understanding
4. Analysis

IT to access Blackboard VLE

Heywood, A., 2017. Political ideologies: An introduction. Macmillan International Higher Education.

Esping-Andersen, G., 1990. The three worlds of welfare capitalism. Princeton University Press.

Jones, O., 2020. Chavs: The demonization of the working class. Verso.

This module will introduce students to the political narratives of Hardship. Students will debate, discuss and evaluate how political ideologies affect the language and media representation of hardship. Topics such as stereotypes, poverty myths and media mis-representations of hardship will be discussed and debated. Upon completion of the module students will have an understanding of different political regimes and ideologies, and be confident in applying this knowledge to a discussion of media representation and public stereotyping of hardship.