Course Outline Format - School of Social Work - University of British ...

SOWK550(004) 2012-2013
Your job is (a) to introduce the class to the content of the document in question. You may use power
point or any other means you deem appropriate for doing so. Given time constraints, this is an
exercise in summarizing the main purpose and points of the document. (b) Deal with the text in a
Canadian context. How has it been applied Choose a case or incident in which you are interested,
where the document in question has been used or referred to in dealing with a human rights/social
justice issue in Canada. (c) What are the strengths, weaknesses of the document in question, as
revealed by the case you have chosen (d) In doing this, involve and engage the class in working
with the material chosen for your presentation, using popular education techniques and approaches.
In this regard, the references found in the on-line text, Curry-Stevens, Ann, 2003, Methods, Models
and Materials for Anti-Oppression and Social Justice Workshops. Toronto: Centre for Social Justice
(on-line. Available at http://www.socialjustice.org), will be useful. Think in terms of games, exercises,
challenges, scenarios – a wide range of tools and devices to actively engage other students in
discovering the material with which you are familiar. Think of yourself as an instructor working with
social workers in an agency setting or at an NGO-sponsored workshop where you are introducing
people to the material. Time management is important. You have 1 hour and 20 minutes for your
presentation.
(3) Scholarly Response (25%)
The editors of the Journal of Social Justice and Public Affairs (fictitious) have invited you to respond
to newspaper reports on a matter of social justice/human rights that has been topical (in the
news) for the past three months. [Normally, the editor would invite you to respond to a particular
matter of interest to the journal and its readers, but being the good-hearted soul that he is, he has
decided to let you choose the issue that interests you most.]
Your article will be published in the “Current Affairs” section of the Journal. It need not be long. It is
not to be a full article (those appear in the refereed papers section). It has to fit within the word limit
specified for brief articles in this section of the Journal (not more than 2000 words – although it can
even be less!) Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to these things.
Write your short article, commenting on or reacting to press coverage of a human rights/social
justice issue of your choice. You might choose the way one publication (the Vancouver Sun or the
Manchester Guardian or the New York Times or Georgia Strait or …) has covered something or you
might do your piece on the way a number of publications have handled the topic, or you might chose
to focus on the way a particular columnist has covered things (look out Margaret Wente!). Your call.
But remember, this is a scholarly journal, so your response should be backed up by some
reference to the literature. Proper referencing is required (Chicago style or APA). I say “some
reference” because we don’t want a lengthy bibliography associated with this piece. No more than 6
or 7 references.
Our editorial panel will review your submission and get back to you (with a grade!). Due the last
class.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1: Sept. 5
Graduate student orientation to the School’s organizing theme: social justice. All students must
attend the two-day orientation, Sept. 4 and 5.
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