BC Social Justice 12 Course Outline
By Louise Gonsalvez
Social Justice 12 Course Rationale
Social Justice 12 promotes the pursuit of social justice and encourages students to develop the commitment and ability to work toward a more just society.
Famous Social Justice Quotations
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.” Margaret Mead
“Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life . . .” Nelson Mandela
One Definition of Social Justice
“The full participation and inclusion of all people in society, together with the promotionand protection of their legal, civil, and human rights. The aim of social justice—to achieve a just and equitable society where all share in the prosperity of that society—is pursued by individuals and groups through collaborative social action.”
(BC Ministry of Education: SJ 12 - Glossary)
Human Rights Law in British Columbia
In BC, human rights are primarily defined by the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms
SJ 12 Course in British Columbia
BC Ministry of Education Social Justice 12 Integrated Resource Package
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/social_justice12/sj12irp2008.pdf
Goals of Social Justice 12
Recognize and understand the causes of injustice
Apply critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills to social justice issues
Understand how to act in a socially just manner
Become responsible agents of change
Meeting Prescribed Learning Outcomes
There are a number of exciting, yet controversial topics, in this course. The Alternative Delivery policy does not apply to Social Justice 12. www.bced.gov.bc.ca/policy/
SJ12 Course Participation: Self-Reflection, Responding Justly and Taking Action
Sample Self-Reflective Questions:
−How do my personal experiences and circumstances (e.g., age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, family, socioeconomic status) affect my perceptions?
−How do I challenge the status quo?
−What are my assumptions about how our society functions/ should function? (e.g., competitive, collective)−What roles do culture and language play in my perceptions,
understandings, values, and beliefs?
−Am I privileged or entitled? In what ways?
−Am I oppressed or marginalized? In what ways?
−How do I perpetuate the status quo?
−How do I respond when someone disagrees with me?
How do I treat others with beliefs and values different from my own?
−What am I willing to do to promote social justice ideals?
−How willing am I to take personal risks in sharing my ideas
Just Behaviours:
-analyse how belief systems have been used to justify local and global prejudices and biases
-advocate for social justice
-give examples of how belief systems can affect the ways in which individuals and groups relate
-demonstrate skills of respectful collaboration and co-operation address conflict in constructive and fair ways
-respect and promote respect for the contributions of others
-use appropriate, respectful, and inclusive language in discourse about social justice issues
Taking Action:
-implement an appropriate plan for action on a selected local, provincial, national, or international social justice issue
Social Justice 12 is a participatory course that requires self-analysis, social analysis, respect for diversity, a willingness to take action and a willingness to respectfully discuss controversial issues.
Curriculum Organizers for Social Justice 12
I. Defining Social Justice
Sample Terminology: ageism, colonialism, consumerism, cultural imperialism, dignity, discrimination, diversity, economic imperialism, empowerment, equality, equity, ethics, extremism, feminism, fundamentalism, genocide, globalization, hate crime, hegemony, heterosexism, homophobia, human rights, inclusion, individual responsibility, marginalization, misogyny, oppression, peace, power, prejudice, privilege, racism, sexism, speciesism, systemic, transformational leadership
II. Recognizing and Analysing Social Injustice
-analyse marginalized and oppressed groups: historical and contemporary, Canadian, local and global and implications of globalization
-causes of social injustice (e.g., fear, greed, unequal distribution of resources, insecurity, maintaining the power dynamic status quo, conformity, conflicting values)
-consequences of social injustice (e.g., inequity, prejudice, discrimination, poverty, war, patriarchy, incarceration rates, alienation, environmental degradation)
-case studies of social injustice in Canada role of legislation, public policy
-demonstrate the ability to understand the motives, intentions, hopes, and fears of people in other situations
III. Moving toward a Socially Just World
- assess lifelong opportunities related to social justice
-identify realistic options for participation (e.g., launching an informational or advocacy campaign, volunteering with existing service groups, organizing a letter-writing
campaign, consulting elected officials, making presentations to community groups, organizing workshops or forums, creating and presenting a drama, creating a public service announcement video, launching a web site, creating a podcast)
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(Curriculum Organizer Information cited from the BC SJ12 IRP)
Sample Unit Topics for Social Justice 12
Unit 1: Introduction to Social Justice
Unit 2: Social Justice Beliefs and Values
Unit 3: Research Skills
Unit 4: Systemic Analysis and the Dynamics of Poverty
Unit 5: Aboriginal Peoples and the Law
Unit 6: Examining LGBTQ Issues
Unit 7: Women and Social Justice
Unit 8: Genocide
Unit 9: Globalization
Unit 10: Social Justice Action Plan
Social Justice 12 Course Evaluations
Self Reflection (Journal, Blog and Responses) 10%
Definitions and Defining Social Justice 20%
Analyzing and Recognizing Social Injustice 35%
Confronting Social Injustices 35%
Social Justice 12 Assessment Tools
Rubrics for various BC SJ12 Activities
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/program_delivery/sj12_teacherguide/sj12_unitone.pdf
Social Justice Displays/Booths
http://www.cesnorthwest.org/servicelearningexchange/wp-content/filmfest/booth_rubric.pdf?phpMyAdmin=9c75954fff43e41b8588c719a439c719
Social Justice Sample Rubric for Blogs and Videos
http://talcnewvision.org/SocialJusticeCurriculum/Assessment?action=download&upname=videoassess.doc
BC Ministry Recommended Resources for Social Justice 12
Selected Websites: BC Ministry of Education http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/program_delivery/sj12_teacherguide/sj12_websites.pdf
Recommended Resources: BC Ministry of Education
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp_resources/lr/resource/2008sj12annot.pdf
Learning Resources by Topic
http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp_resources/lr/resource/2008sj12_lr.pdf
BCTF Social Justice Calendar
http://bctf.ca/uploadedFiles/Social_Justice/SJCalendar.pdf
You may participate in some nationally and internationally recognized social justice days.
Free Social Justice Posters with Quotes
http://www.betterworld.net/quotes/justice-quotes.htm
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