Literature and Social Justice: Exploring Inequality and Activism

Join us to examine the ways in which literature has been used to create social change, and how social change has been represented in literature.

We will explore a selection of literary texts on the abolition of slavery, class struggle, women’s rights, antiracism and environmental struggles. From the 18th-century slave narrative and the 19th-century industrial novel, through 20th-century feminist fiction and LGBTQ+ theatre, we will conclude with a 21st-century novel on environmental justice and decolonisation.

You will be encouraged to explore the relationship between literature and society in the texts listed below and be encouraged to consider their role in effecting social change through imagination and representation.

The text should be read in the learner’s own time, whilst our focus in class will be discussing relevant key concepts including gender, sexuality, race, intersectionality, decolonisation, and reproductive rights.

You will be required to borrow or buy the following books:

• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Frederick Douglass (1845)
• Mary Barton, Elizabeth Gaskell (1848)
• The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood (1985)
• Angels in America, Tony Kushner (1991)
• Terra Nullius, Claire G. Coleman (2017)

Please do not purchase any books until the course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a computer or other device with internet connection.

Please note that this course includes material and / or discussion of sensitive and potentially challenging topics that some learners may find difficult or upsetting.

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course you should be able to:

• Explain basic terms and concepts associated with social justice and equality 
• Critically evaluate texts through close reading, identifying literary techniques and devices, to understand ways in which literary texts can reflect and impact society 
• Identify past and current attitudes toward equality struggles and social change through both literary representations and theoretical frameworks.

This course is suitable for all learners, and does not require any experience in studying literature, history or social justice.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support.

There are no specific entry requirements for this course.

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course is due to start, unless the course is full or cancelled.