Welcome to our HSE4M online course, designed to foster an understanding of equity and social justice issues and strategies for positive change. Throughout HSE4M, students explore historical and contemporary equity challenges in Canada and globally, analyzing power dynamics and influential factors. By developing research skills and implementing social action initiatives, students in HSE4M actively engage in creating a more just society. Join us to embark on a transformative journey of understanding and action with HSE4M!
Course curriculum
Inside %course-code%: from theory to social action
An M credit for social work, education and community programs
Counts toward university and college admission alike, with a prerequisite most Grade 12 students already meet, and directly relevant to social work, teaching, sociology and human rights pathways.
How inequity is constructed
Power relations, privilege based on gender, race, sexual orientation and class, and the messages media and pop culture carry, analysed with social science research and inquiry methods.
Canada’s issues, past and present
Historical and contemporary equity issues, the leaders and policies that address them, and an online conference on the significance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action.
You design and run a social action project
The course moves from theory to practice: a survey, a poster, a rant video, then a personal social justice action project you implement, and a portfolio that ties it together.
HSE4M Course outline
Full unit-by-unit breakdown.
Explore equity and social justice topics and formulate questions to guide research using social science inquiry methods. Examine issues and their impact from a personal perspective, and survey approaches to power relations, media and pop culture.
Key topics
Social science inquiry · power relations · privilege and identity · media and pop culture · personal perspective on equity
Assessed by
Inquiry model short survey assignment · social construct ‘Unlearn’ poster presentation · ‘Towards a New Vision’ personal reflection
Explore historical and contemporary equity and social justice issues through readings and media, and learn about key figures, leaders, and the policies, strategies and initiatives that address them, with a focus on progressive, equitable policy-making.
Key topics
Historical and contemporary issues in Canada and globally · leaders and key figures · policy, strategy and initiatives · Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action
Assessed by
Truth and Reconciliation online conference · addressing issues rant video
Explore ways to promote equity and social justice and the opportunities for involvement at different scales, then design and implement a personal social justice action project with a written reflective component.
Key topics
Promoting equity and social justice · levels of involvement · designing an action initiative · implementing and reflecting
Assessed by
Personal social justice action project
Consolidate the course by creating a personalized online portfolio showcasing your learning in social construction, addressing equity, and personal and social action.
Key topics
Online course portfolio · synthesis across the three strands
Assessed by
Final project portfolio (10%)
