This module examines the persistent and evolving challenge of global and local inequalities, linking debates on poverty, industrialisation, environmental change, and the uneven distribution of wealth and opportunity. You’ll explore mainstream and critical development theories to understand how inequalities are produced, reproduced, reduced, and transformed, considering historical and contemporary drivers at global, national, and local levels. The module also highlights areas of progress, such as improvements in health, education, and gender equality, to identify effective strategies for advocacy and action. Through case studies, research analysis, and applied exercises, you’ll develop the ability to evaluate competing theories and policies, construct evidence-based arguments, and engage critically with real-world examples. By the end, you’ll be equipped to interrogate policy claims, compare strategies to tackle inequality, and contribute confidently to debates on social, economic, and environmental justice, building skills in analysis, communication, research, and problem-solving.
