LW3EL: Equality Law

Module code: LW3EL

Module provider: School of Law

Credits: 20

Level: 6

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Grace James , email: c.g.james@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Rachel Horton, email: r.e.horton@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: na

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 12 May 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module aims to provide students with a critical awareness of how Equality Law is framed in the UK and a detailed knowledge and understanding of key Equality Law topics.

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Adopting a theoretically informed, topic-based approach the module involves the study of Equality Laws in the employment context. It encourages a critical appreciation of relevant theoretical perspectives on Equality Law and an ability to navigate the law in order to offer advice in relation to employment-focused legal problems.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Identify the sources of Equality Law in the UK
• Identify and evaluate theories on the aims and limits of Equality Law.
• Explain and apply key legal concepts in equality law
• Identify the grounds of prohibited discrimination and protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
• Critically assess and apply selected areas of Equality Law to practical employment -related problems.

Module content

Once key concepts and frameworks and core theoretical perspectives are introduced, this module is taught primarily through 6 core but inter-related topics:

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The main content is

• Introduction: historical development, prohibited conduct and protected characteristics under the Equality Act, the concept of equality and the aims / limits of anti-discrimination / equality laws.
• Topic 1: Race discrimination
• Topic 2: Sex discrimination
• Topic 3: Disability discrimination
• Topic 4: Age discrimination
• Topic 5: Pregnancy and maternity discrimination Ìý
• Topic 6: Discrimination on the grounds of religion and belief

(these topics may vary from year to year)

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be taught through lectures, seminars and supported by online drop-in sessions where students will have an opportunity to consider cases, reports, academic literature in more depth.

The lectures (22 hours) will take place weekly (2 hours a week across 11 weeks)

Seminars (5 x 2 hours) will involve structured group discussions and some presentations / group work by students (10 hours). Throughout the module, emphasis is placed on the student to actively participate in the learning experience. This includes researching the subject independently and being fully prepared for seminars.

Topic ‘Deep Dive’ sessions will be timetabled – these 2 hour sessions will be online after each seminar has taken place (x5) and allow students to look in more detail at relevant cases or reading that relates to the topic in question (10 hours). There will also be an opportunity to reflect on understanding and ask questions / seek clarification as needed. Generic feedback for formative assessments will also be provided in these sessions when relevant.

• Introduction: historical development, prohibited conduct and protected characteristics under the Equality Act, the concept of equality and the aims / limits of anti-discrimination / equality laws.
• Topic 1: Race discrimination
• Topic 2: Sex discrimination
• Topic 3: Disability