Inequality in Irish Society

In spite of the vast wealth created in Ireland in the so-called 'Celtic Tiger' years, Ireland remains one of
the most deeply unequal societies within the European Union economically. How do we explain the persistence of
injustices in a relatively wealthy country like Ireland and how can we bring about change? The aim of this
course is to enable students to develop a critical understanding of economic, cultural and social inequalities
in Irish society and to identify ways of addressing these. It will use a range of academic materials and
sources from different disciplines, including electronic resources, to develop a critically informed
orientation. The course will be taught through a series of lectures and tutorials. The active participation of
students will be encouraged through dialogue and discussion. The course has three main objectives: 1. It will
provide students with an academic framework for investigating inequalities in Ireland for different social
groups that will enable students understand the scope and depth of injustices. 2. It will provide students
with conceptual frameworks to enable them analyse the causes of inequalities. 3. It will identify frameworks
for action that will promote social justice and respect for human rights in Ireland. The course will focus on
4 major types of inequalities and how each of these can be explained and addressed in Ireland:1. Economic
Inequalities 2. Political Inequalities 3. Cultural and Status Inequalities (e.g. gender, ethnicity, sexuality,
age, disability), 4. Affective Inequalities (inequalities in access to care, love and solidarity of all kinds
and in the doing of care work). To complement the above analysis, the course will explore the role of 2 key
social institutions in the perpetuation of inequality and in creating a more equal society, the educational
system and the health care system, and will consider arguments for different conceptions of equality.