This course offers a critical overview of the meaning and implementation of social justice by examining key legal, social and political theories as well as the history of Canadian (and international) social justice movements. More specifically, it will explore the content and effectiveness of social, group and individual rights as instruments of justice in the domestic and international arenas. It will also examine the tension between international pursuits of human rights and justice, versus state-supported (and delimited) protections of human rights. It will also provide participants with a multivariate understanding of social justice which will look to liberal traditions, as well as beyond them. Potentially, it will also look at issues which challenge the implementation and maintenance of social justice institutions such as religious fundamentalism, globalization, cultural and ethnic polarization, terrorism, etc.
This course may not be repeated for credit.

Sections

This course will be offered next in Fall 2009.