1.1 Defining Social Justice
Most people have a furious itch to talk about themselves and are restrained only by the disinclination of others to listen. We must have an open mind and an interest in human beings...Human nature may be displayed before you and if you have not the eyes to see you will learn nothing. (Somerset Maugham )
This course is designed to encourage you to think for yourself about things that matter.
Activity 1: Attitudes, Values & Principles
In a journal/blog, answer the following questions three well-written paragraphs.
A) Why are the youth of today so rude?
In a one-paragraph (or more), respond to the following article, "Why are the youth of today so rude?" (Blaikie, T., 2006).
B) Personal Experiences of Negative Attitudes
In a well-written paragraph, reflect on your personal experiences of negative attitudes. Consider the following questions in your response:
C) Responding to Prejudice in School and in Society
In a well-written paragraph, reflect on the negative attitudes or prejudices you see in school and/or in society. Consider the following questions in your response:
D) Personally Held Negative Attitudes and/or Stereotypes
Personally reflect on any negative attitudes or stereotypes that you may hold toward particular groups or individuals in society. In order to move beyond prejudices, it is important that you are honest with yourself about the prejudice(s) that you may hold. Consider the following questions in your response:
In a journal/blog, answer the following questions three well-written paragraphs.
A) Why are the youth of today so rude?
In a one-paragraph (or more), respond to the following article, "Why are the youth of today so rude?" (Blaikie, T., 2006).
B) Personal Experiences of Negative Attitudes
In a well-written paragraph, reflect on your personal experiences of negative attitudes. Consider the following questions in your response:
- What values and principles guide how you treat others and how you would like to be treated by others?
- What negative attitudes or stereotypes do many adults have toward youth? Which of these are not valid? How do you feel when you experience these negative attitudes and stereotypes? What would you like to be different in adults’ attitudes toward youth?
- What are the basic values and principles with which you wish to be treated?
C) Responding to Prejudice in School and in Society
In a well-written paragraph, reflect on the negative attitudes or prejudices you see in school and/or in society. Consider the following questions in your response:
- How are these attitudes and prejudices expressed?
- What are the consequences of these attitudes?
- How should one respond when these attitudes are expressed?
D) Personally Held Negative Attitudes and/or Stereotypes
Personally reflect on any negative attitudes or stereotypes that you may hold toward particular groups or individuals in society. In order to move beyond prejudices, it is important that you are honest with yourself about the prejudice(s) that you may hold. Consider the following questions in your response:
- How have these views been acquired?
- What are the basic values underlying such views?
- What are the effects of such views when held by a large number of people?
NOTES ON VALUES AND PRINCIPLES
VALUES: Values are sets of beliefs about good and bad, right and wrong, and about many other aspects of living and interacting in the society with others. Though there are universal values like love and compassion, it is found that values vary from culture to culture, and there are also personal values that are dear to people. Values are beliefs and opinions that people hold regarding issues and concepts such as liberty, freedom, love, sex, education, relations, friendship etc.
PRINCIPLES: Principles can be described as rules or laws that are universal in nature. These principles are about human behavior and set or govern the interaction between people in a society. Principles are unwritten laws that are expected to be followed and those seen flouting these principles are looked down upon in a society. People also make their own guiding principles in life. Whenever they are in doubt, they can take recourse to these principles, and all doubts are cleared. Having a set of principles is like having a compass in the journey of life when we feel that we are lost or unable to find the right path.
As described above, principles are always about universal truths or standards. One must have clear cut principles about concepts such as fairness, justice, equality, truthfulness, honesty, etc so as to be able to take a stand on any social issue or event. Having a principle allows one to have a stand that is a comforting thought as he is not groping in the dark as to what he feels about important issues and concepts.
What is the difference between Values and Principles?
• Both values and principles serve important roles in the life of an individual while dealing with others and social issues and concepts.
• Values are sets of beliefs about subjective traits and ideal while principles are universal laws and truths.
• Principles serve the role of an anchor for a ship in its journey when confronted with conflicting issues, while values allow us move ahead with confidence expressing our beliefs.
Source: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-values-and-vs-principles/
VALUES: Values are sets of beliefs about good and bad, right and wrong, and about many other aspects of living and interacting in the society with others. Though there are universal values like love and compassion, it is found that values vary from culture to culture, and there are also personal values that are dear to people. Values are beliefs and opinions that people hold regarding issues and concepts such as liberty, freedom, love, sex, education, relations, friendship etc.
PRINCIPLES: Principles can be described as rules or laws that are universal in nature. These principles are about human behavior and set or govern the interaction between people in a society. Principles are unwritten laws that are expected to be followed and those seen flouting these principles are looked down upon in a society. People also make their own guiding principles in life. Whenever they are in doubt, they can take recourse to these principles, and all doubts are cleared. Having a set of principles is like having a compass in the journey of life when we feel that we are lost or unable to find the right path.
As described above, principles are always about universal truths or standards. One must have clear cut principles about concepts such as fairness, justice, equality, truthfulness, honesty, etc so as to be able to take a stand on any social issue or event. Having a principle allows one to have a stand that is a comforting thought as he is not groping in the dark as to what he feels about important issues and concepts.
What is the difference between Values and Principles?
• Both values and principles serve important roles in the life of an individual while dealing with others and social issues and concepts.
• Values are sets of beliefs about subjective traits and ideal while principles are universal laws and truths.
• Principles serve the role of an anchor for a ship in its journey when confronted with conflicting issues, while values allow us move ahead with confidence expressing our beliefs.
Source: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-values-and-vs-principles/
Activity 2: Social Justice Dictionary (ongoing)
You will begin creating an annotated dictionary of social justice terminology and definitions to be included on your personal webpage. As terms arise in class readings, discussions, research, etc, you should add these terms to your personal dictionary. It is up to you as to the layout of the dictionary, but I suggest you include hyperlinks, real-life examples, graphic support, etc.
The student dictionaries will be a means of assessment and you will share your dictionaries periodically during the course. See the assessment rubric for the Social Justice Dictionary for criteria.
Definition: Annotated--supplied with or containing explanatory notes, textual comments, etc.
You will begin creating an annotated dictionary of social justice terminology and definitions to be included on your personal webpage. As terms arise in class readings, discussions, research, etc, you should add these terms to your personal dictionary. It is up to you as to the layout of the dictionary, but I suggest you include hyperlinks, real-life examples, graphic support, etc.
The student dictionaries will be a means of assessment and you will share your dictionaries periodically during the course. See the assessment rubric for the Social Justice Dictionary for criteria.
Definition: Annotated--supplied with or containing explanatory notes, textual comments, etc.
Activity 3: Support for Your Learning and the Learning of Others (ongoing)
Research a variety of social justice issue that are of concern to you. Add at least two links/week with annotated comments to our class Google+ page. Please insert the link into the appropriate category. You will also comment on at least one of your classmates links. Personal Annotated Resource on Google+ Page: This would be a link to a webpage, article, discussion, book, etc that makes reference to a particular social justice issue. Your annotated comment shows that you have thoughtfully considered the topic to a great extend and perhaps you've included some of your opinions/ideas on the issue. You will be expected to add at least two links per week. Commenting on Classmates Google+ Post: This would show an attempt to make a significant contribution to at least one conversation per week. Comments would include thoughtful opinions that demonstrate you have obviously considered the thoughts/ideas/opinions of your classmates. |