GENDER, SOCIAL DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND PUBLIC POLICY

One of the major challenges confronting public policy in modern times is how to overcome overt and subtle discrimination in the art of governance, economic growth and development.  Among the several pathways to the realisation of this goal, the pursuit of tolerance of social diversity and the eradication of exploitation of one group by others remains a major focus.  Understanding the political and civil rights of different social classes, as well as their economic, social and cultural rights provide the basis for the course on Gender, Social Diversity, Equity and Public Policy.

Students will be guided to understand the discourse on social difference, and how state and society have responded over time to the growing demands for inclusive growth and social justice in development.  It is important for students to appreciate how evidence from reflective research is contributing to the unfolding paradigm shift towards embracing social diversity and equity with special reference to race, gender, ethnicity and disability, to name a few. 

The course highlights how policy instruments influence the process of income distribution across different social groups; how public policy can be used to address people’s freedoms across different social groups.  In addition, it points out the kinds of social research that have evolved around the theme of public policy, and the pressure on social scientists to re-examine the norms of research practice.  The trend is in favour of research methodologies that provide more disaggregated information and explanation on the situation of different social groups in society, with special reference to their relations with each other and implications for social justice.  The ways in which life-course changes such as childhood, youth, motherhood, working life, ageing, disability, among others, are managed through various public policies will also be addressed.