Courses - Faculty of Education And Social Work
Social Justice
Stage I
Social Justice in Aotearoa
Explores concepts and theories of social justice from a range of knowledge systems and disciplinary perspectives. Examines histories of social (in)justice, power and privilege in Aotearoa in relation to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Attention is given to core social justice issues associated with intersecting social, political and economic inequities.
Ko Wai Au; Ko Wai Tātou?
Engages students in reflecting on where they stand in their communities and what they can do to foster the well-being of those communities. Develops communication and collaboration skills to identify opportunities for engagement with and change within those communities.
Prerequisite: SOCJUS 101
Stage II
Social Justice Movements
Starting with He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, explores the conceptual grounding, histories and implications of social justice movements in Aotearoa, Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa (the Pacific) and beyond in the context of histories of social (in)justice, power and privilege. Develops critical, digital and academic literacies in a chosen research project that addresses a particular social justice movement.
Prerequisite: SOCJUS 101, 102
Tools for Change
Examines the applications of strategies and tools used for social transformation in Aotearoa and Te Moana nui and beyond. Considers how these can be applied in students’ own communities and relationships. Identifies opportunities for agency and shared leadership for change in their communities.
Prerequisite: SOCJUS 201
Engaging with Communities
Introduction to the dynamics of social change and power, with an emphasis on praxis - action informed by theory. Fosters understanding of the protocols surrounding engagement, consultation, and partnership in Aotearoa. Develops skills to be agents of change including facilitating, organising, and motivating community members, mobilising resources, developing a shared social analysis, and building alliances for social change.
Prerequisite: SOCJUS 101, 102
Generations and Justice
An examination of Aotearoa’s pressing issues through an intergenerational lens (e.g., poverty, family violence, climate change, and educational disparities). Explores rights in several areas (e.g., environmental, cultural, identity, sexual, linguistic, disability, ageing, child/youth rights). Anchored in Māori principles of manaakitanga (care) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship), takes a holistic, long-term view, emphasising rights and responsibilities to work towards just and sustainable futures.
Prerequisite: SOCJUS 101, 102
Stage III
Structural (In)Justice
How does structural (in)justice occur across social institutions? Explores the dynamics of social structures and agency in Aotearoa, Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa and beyond to understand how power operates in societies and can be mobilised for social change. Develops critical, digital and academic literacies to ‘scope’ a social change project in a specific community or organisation.
Prerequisite: SOCJUS 201, 202
Change-Making in Communities
A service-learning experience that develops specialist knowledge and skills. With supervision, the focus is on learning to apply reflective, culturally responsive and sustaining practices that are of direct benefit to others. Professional and ethical relationship management, effective communication skills, critical reflection and evidence-based decision-making will be emphasised. Placement in a variety of community settings represents a structured opportunity to put theory into action.
Prerequisite: SOCJUS 211
Just Global Futures
Identifies and interrogates the potential of emerging new approaches to achieving global justice, through reparative solutions, deliberative democracy, grassroots solidarity movements and alternative economies. Challenges students to think critically about the future of global justice and provides them with knowledge and skills needed to advocate for and implement transformative policies and practices that maximise the well-being of peoples and planet.
Prerequisite: SOCIOL 210
Capstone: Design for Change
Draws on the perspectives, knowledge and skills developed throughout the degree to design an independent and/or collaborative project in engagement with their communities. Connections are made between academic learning and ‘real world’ situations.
Prerequisite: SOCJUS 301