Social Justice 12: Resources

Introduction:

This is an exciting new elective course that is currently being offered in a few school districts in B.C. It was approved by the Ministry of Education in August 2008. The course focuses on a wide variety of social justice issues. The IRP is well laid out with specific PLOs which move students through three stages of social engagement. Initially, awareness of social justice issues is developed as students begin to explore SJ issues from various perspectives. Next, students analyze SJ issues to gain a more thorough understanding of them. Finally, students pick specific issues to focus on and develop their own personal actions plans for making change in an area they fell passionate about. In this way, they progress from awareness, analysis to action.

The course is an excellent opportunity for students to become agents of change regarding relevant social justice issues that affect their lives and communities.

The new IRP is available on the Ministry of Education web site at:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/social_justice12/sj12irp2008.pdf

"Making Space," is another new resource document to support teachers in discussing social justice issues across the K-12 curriculum, is now up on the Ministry website. Here it is:

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/program_delivery/ss.htm

 

Ways to Support Social Justice 12 in Schools

Here are some quick ideas on how to encourage secondary schools in your local to offer Social Justice 12 in the coming semester.

What schools can do:

  • Ask school counsellors to list the course in calendars so that students have the option to sign up for it
  • Talk it up with students in Global Issues, Multicultural or Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Clubs to create a “buzz” for the course
  •  Let all Grade 11 and 12 students know that they can register for it. Tell them that this course has no prerequisites.
  •  Encourage colleagues who are passionate about Social Justice issues to teach it.
  •  Post a vacancy for a job in your school if there are enough students signed up to take it and no staff member volunteers to teach the course
  • Explain to your principal and colleagues that this is a course where students can learn about social justice and injustices, think critically and analyze issues and then act to make positive change in the world. The course covers many forms of oppression and is intersectional in nature.
  • Inform students and parents about the content of the course. Page 33 of the IRP gives an excellent overview of the course.
  • Social Studies teachers who are interested in teaching this course should contact James Chamberlain at the BCTF.

 

James Chamberlain: Assistant Director, Professional and Social Issues
BC Teachers' Federation
#100-550 West 6th Ave.
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4P2
jchamberlain@bctf.ca
604-871-1842
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