4 Year Nursing Degree Programme (BSc Cur)

NU2E03 Introduction to Theories of Race and Ethnicity (5 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this module the student should be able to:

• Utilise the key concepts
  
• Apply the concepts of race, ethnicity, and identity to contemporary Irish society.
  
• Engage in critical discussion on the issues raised in the lectures
  
• Express ideas accurately, clearly, persuasively and imaginatively, in both oral and written form.
  
• Make independent judgments on current race and ethnicity issues taking into account scientific, social, political, moral and ethical considerations.
  
• Apply the concepts of race, ethnicity and identity to the context of nursing.

Module Learning Aims

Although some sectors of society, including policy makers, have been slow to recognise it, the reality is
that Ireland is, and will remain, a multi-cultural society. The current diversity in the country’s population is
not a temporary change caused by a decade of economic growth in the 2000s.

This module introduces participants to the concepts of ‘race’ and ‘ethnicity’ and national
identity/citizenship locating ‘race’ within social, economic and political relations and situating ‘race’ and
racism in relation to other divisions such as class, religion and gender. Issues specific to Irish society will
include the Irish Traveller community and the links between racialisation and the asylum/migration
processes.

Specifically this course will address issues of race and ethnicity as they relate to nursing practice and
the Irish health profession and will familiarise students with both the National Intercultural Health
Strategy 2007-12 and the HSE Intercultural Guidelines.

In addition, the course will provide students with some key transferable skills that will be useful in life
after college, such as communication skills, critical thinking, and diversity training.

Recommended Reading List

There is no one core text but the following texts will be useful:

• Macionis J and Plummer, K. (2007, 4th Ed.). Sociology : A global introduction.
  
• HSE Intercultural Guide
  
• National Intercultural Health Strategy 2007-12
  
• All Ireland Traveller Health Study 2010
  

A detailed reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course indicating essential and
recommended readings. From time to time, students will be directed to informative websites, newspaper
articles, films, and broadcast media as well as reports from Government departments and NGO’s
working in the area.

* Additional readings will be given for each unit of learning.