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Study information

Economics of Diversity and Inclusion

Module titleEconomics of Diversity and Inclusion
Module codeBEE2045
Academic year2024/5
Credits15
Module staff

Dr Dario Sansone (Lecturer)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Module description

This optional second-year module will focus on the Economics of Diversity & Inclusion. You will learn about the traditional theories of discrimination and extend your knowledge in topics like discrimination based on gender, race, disability, and sexual orientation. The literature discussed in this module will be primarily on discrimination but most of the methods and approaches can be also applied in other fields like labour, education, and health. Overall, this module focuses on building your knowledge on different topics in Diversity & Inclusion that economists research on.

The intended audience is second- or third-year students on economics degree pathways. The course is not intended for non-specialists. Students will benefit from having a basic knowledge of statistics.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to equip students with an understanding of diversity and inclusion as an economic problem. Students will develop their skills in applying theoretical economic and empirical tools to examine the issues of diversity and inclusion. Students will be exposed to landmark research papers in the field. By combining theory with empirical techniques and results, students will learn how to critically examine data, participate in economic debates, and analyse policy. Students will also have a better understanding of existing employment non-discrimination laws and be able to advocate for Diversity & Inclusion from an economic and business perspective

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 1. Apply the knowledge and skills acquired to the solution of specific theoretical and applied problems in the economics of Diversity & Inclusion.
  • 2. Apply economic reasoning to look at problems in topics like gender pay gap and economic disparities by sexual orientation and analyse the effectiveness of proposed solutions.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 3. Discuss alternative approaches to the analysis of economic phenomena.
  • 4. Interpret real-world economic data and critically assess a range of types of evidence.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 5. Outline the economic and welfare dimensions of the wider ethical, social and political issues of Diversity & Inclusion.
  • 6. Build the capacity to think critically

Syllabus plan

  • The economic and business case for Diversity & Inclusion.
  • Economic theories of discrimination.
  • Economic tools for studying Diversity & Inclusion.
  • Empirical overview of discrimination:
    • Discrimination based on race.
    • Discrimination based on gender.
    • Discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
    • Discrimination based on disability

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
241260

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity20Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity4Tutorials
Guided independent study 126This will be in the form of directed reading in preparation for lectures, tutorials, and assessments

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Tutorial discussions and exercises50 minutes1-6In-class feedback

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
30700

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Individual Assignment30Report up to 1,000 words1-6Final grade and feedback on ELE
Final Exam702 hours1-6Final grade and feedback on ELE

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Individual Assignment (30%)Individual Assignment (30%)1-6Referral/deferral period
Final Exam (70%)Final Exam (70%)1-6Referral/deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferred assessment is similar to the original form of assessment. Referred assignment is based on either the component or components of the original form of assessment referred. 

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

 

  • Neumark, D. (2018), Experimental research on labor market discrimination, Journal of Economic Literature, 56(3): 799-866.
  • Small, M.L. and Pager, D. (2020), Sociological perspectives on racial discrimination, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 34(2): 49-67.
  • Goldin, C. (2014), A Grand Gender Convergence: Its Last Chapter, American Economic Review, 104(4): 1091-1119
  • Lang, K. and Kahn-Lang Spitzer, A. (2020), Race discrimination: An economic perspective, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 34(2): 68-89.
  • Jones, M.K. (2008), Disability and the labour market: a review of the empirical evidence, Journal of Economic Studies, 35(5): 405-424
  • Badgett, M.V., Carpenter, C.S. and Sansone, D. (2021), LGBTQ economics, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 35(2): 141-70.

Key words search

Diversity & Inclusion, Gender, Race, LGBTQ+, disability

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

BEE1029 or (BEE1036 and BEE1037) 

Module co-requisites

NOne

NQF level (module)

5

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

18/01/2024

Last revision date

18/01/2024