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HSE 4M – Equity & Social Justice: From Theory to Practice
Understanding Social Construction: Unit Summative Analysis of a Social Justice Issue
B1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of a range of perspectives on and approaches
Expectations
to equity and social justice issues, and of factors that affect inequity and social injustice.
Overall
B2. Students will analyze, in historical and contemporary contexts, the dynamics of power
relations and privilege as well as various factors that contribute to power or marginalization.
B3. Students will assess the impact of media and popular culture on equity and social justice
issues.
Assessment
❖ You will complete a comprehensive analysis of a social justice issue, specifically the
Focus
topic you chose for your Action Plan task from the beginning of the unit.
❖ You will prepare a presentation package using a format or formats of your choice.
Getting Started:
Think about the social justice issue you focused on at the beginning of the unit. Recall why
this was important to you and the thinking you did around the specifics about the issue,
what needs to be done to alleviate the issue, and the action plan items you thought of to
be part of the change.
Overview:
Your comprehensive analysis of this social justice issue will include the following:
Application of two (2) theoretical approaches.
Identification and assessment of power relations associated with the issue.
Identification and assessment of media and popular culture representation of the issue.
Analysis of a specific example of media addressing the issue.
A conclusion that includes your opinion.
References in APA format.
You are encouraged to use a variety of strategies to communicate your findings!
→ PowerPoint Presentation
→ Essay or Report Format
→ Video or Podcast with Script
→ Any combination of the above… or other ideas you may have!
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Process + Nitty Gritty:
Approaches + Perspectives
1. Provide an overview of your chosen social issue. THINK: define/explain it
2. Choose two (2) of the theoretical approaches discussed in this unit and make
connections by explaining how each theory would view the social issue.
FIRST
Some questions to consider:
▪ How would the theory explain why the issue exists?
▪ What are some of the key issues relating to the community affected according to the
theoretical perspective?
▪ How might a specific theorist’s work explain and/or address the issue?
Power Relations
1. Identify and assess power relations associated with your topic – who is represented
within your topic? What groups/communities?
NEXT
2. How are bias, stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and/or oppression connected –
how have these impacted the community and/or overall understanding of the social
justice issue?
3. Provide at least one (1) specific example to illustrate the power relations your have
included in your presentation.
Media + Popular Culture
1. How is this social issue represented in media and popular culture? Analyze its impact
–> positive/negative, explain.
THEN
2. Find a specific example of the issue in media and/or popular culture.
▪ Identify its perspective and discuss the implications of the perspective making
connections with how it impacts the perception of the issue and/or whether it’s
helpful/harmful.
Opinion + Conclusion
FINALLY
1. Clearly indicate your opinion and provide supporting details.
2. Provide a clear conclusion to ‘wrap up’ your comprehensive analysis.
3. Include a References list in APA format on your final page.
Use organizers and relevant graphics and/or images to support your discussion.