The Topic: Poverty and policy: Understanding social and political determinants. The essay must address the question: How does theory X help us understand social issue
Y? in respect to the named topic and come up with a specific question.
Ensure you are very clear and specific on the social issue that you would like to
discuss. Try to be as specific as possible. What is the problem? Why does it matter?
How is it related to social justice? What is the context? How and why theory is
relevant to the social issue?
Give a brief account of the social issue you are considering and its wider sociopolitical
context.
Take one theoretical perspective on social justice discussed on the module and
explain how and why this is relevant to critically understand the social issue. If you
want, you can also show the potential limitations of a theory and use further
literature to complement.
Demonstrate critical analysis of the social issue, not just description. Critical analysis
means that you don’t just describe, but you discuss and unpack what it’s usually taken
for granted about an issue. It has to do with distance – the ways you distance yourself
from common wisdom. It means, for instance, to use theory to examine how a social
issue emerges and becomes a ‘problem’; to consider broader social and political
contexts; to challenge what is established as the ‘status quo’; to elaborate on
definitions that are often taken for granted and left undefined; to examine issues
from different perspectives and angles; to discuss how we can think differently and
how we can address injustice in our society.
Remember to back-up your claims and statements with relevant literature and
supporting evidence.
Try to develop your ideas in a coherent and clear way.
For instance, you can: illustrate your idea with examples; offer an authoritative
quotation; anticipate and responding to 3 counterarguments; discuss other
viewpoints or perspectives on the ideas you’re discussing. Remember to elaborate on
key definitions. Aim to use some of the reading provided in the photo, along with additional material.
