Social Justice Course

Lesson 1 • Key Terminology and Concepts

Precise definitions of oppression, privilege, marginalisation, and allyship are established. Shared language reduces miscommunication in collaborative and professional settings.

Lesson 2 • Defining Social Justice

Core definitions of justice, equity, and fairness are examined across philosophical traditions. This vocabulary anchors every framework introduced later in the course.

Lesson 3 • Core Values and Ethical Principles

Human dignity, solidarity, and accountability are examined as ethical pillars. Students apply these values to evaluate real-world decisions and policies.

Lesson 1 • Power Dynamics and Social Hierarchies

Social hierarchies based on race, class, gender, and ability are mapped and analysed. Students examine how dominant groups maintain power through norms and institutions.

Lesson 2 • Privilege and Positionality

Privilege is examined as a structural benefit rather than a personal failing. Students reflect on their own positionality and its influence on perception and action.

Lesson 3 • Structural Analysis Tools

Frameworks such as power mapping and root-cause analysis are introduced as diagnostic tools. Students apply them to identify leverage points for systemic change.

Lesson 4 • Understanding Systemic Inequality

Systemic inequality is distinguished from individual prejudice through structural analysis. Students trace how institutions reproduce disadvantage across generations.

Lesson 1 • Applying Intersectionality in Practice

Intersectional analysis is applied to programme design, policy review, and community engagement. Students develop tools to embed intersectionality in professional workflows.

Lesson 2 • Origins of Intersectionality Theory

Kimberlé Crenshaw's foundational work and its Black feminist roots are examined. Students understand why single-axis frameworks fail to capture complex social realities.

Lesson 3 • Identity Categories and Social Location

Race, gender, class, sexuality, religion, and ability are analysed as interlocking identity dimensions. Students map social location to understand differential access to resources.

Lesson 1 • Accessibility and Universal Design

Universal design principles ensure environments and materials are usable by all people. Students audit existing spaces and communications for accessibility gaps.

Lesson 2 • Inclusion Beyond Representation

Inclusion is defined as meaningful participation, not mere presence or numerical diversity. Students identify barriers that prevent full participation even in diverse settings.

Lesson 3 • Equity Audits and Gap Analysis

Equity audits systematically identify disparities in access, outcomes, and representation. Students conduct a structured gap analysis using real or simulated organisational data.

Lesson 4 • Creating Cultures of Belonging

Belonging is examined as the highest level of inclusive culture, requiring affirmation of identity. Students design practices that signal authentic welcome and value.

Lesson 1 • Types and Sources of Bias

Implicit, explicit, and structural biases are defined with evidence from behavioural research. Students trace how bias forms and persists through socialisation and systems.

Lesson 2 • Bias Interruption in Organisations

Structural interventions reduce bias in hiring, evaluation, and promotion processes. Students design bias-interruption protocols for common organisational decision points.

Lesson 3 • Microaggressions Defined and Categorised

Microinsults, microinvalidations, and microassaults are distinguished with real-world examples. Students recognise subtle and cumulative harm that often goes unaddressed.

Lesson 1 • Accountability and Repair

Accountability processes allow individuals and organisations to acknowledge harm and make repair. Students practise accountability conversations and design organisational repair protocols.

Lesson 2 • Allyship vs. Saviourism

Allyship is distinguished from saviourism by centring the agency of affected communities. Students examine how well-intentioned actions can reinforce rather than disrupt power.

Lesson 3 • Solidarity Across Difference

Solidarity requires sustained commitment beyond moments of crisis or visibility. Students examine historical and contemporary examples of cross-group solidarity and its conditions.

Lesson 4 • Advocacy Skills and Strategies

Effective advocacy requires clear messaging, coalition building, and strategic timing. Students practise framing issues, engaging stakeholders, and sustaining campaigns.

Lesson 1 • Monitoring and Evaluating Equity Outcomes

Equity outcomes require ongoing monitoring through disaggregated data and community feedback. Students design evaluation frameworks that track progress and surface unintended consequences.

Lesson 2 • Equity-Centred Policy Analysis

Policies are evaluated for disparate impact, intent, and distributional outcomes. Students apply an equity lens framework to existing policies in their professional context.

Lesson 3 • Advocacy for Systemic Change

Systemic change requires coordinated advocacy across legislative, organisational, and community levels. Students map change pathways and identify strategic entry points for reform.

Lesson 1 • Social Justice Leadership Models

Transformative, servant, and adaptive leadership models are examined through a social justice lens. Students identify which models align with their context and values.

Lesson 2 • Sustaining the Work Long-Term

Long-term equity work requires institutional embedding, succession planning, and renewal practices. Students design sustainability mechanisms to prevent equity gains from eroding.

Lesson 3 • Building Equity-Centred Organisations

Equity is embedded in hiring, culture, governance, and resource allocation to become structural. Students assess their organisation's equity maturity and identify priority change areas.

Lesson 4 • Managing Resistance to Change

Resistance to equity work is predictable and can be addressed through strategic communication. Students diagnose sources of resistance and apply targeted engagement strategies.