Last updated: August 31, 2006 @ 09:50AM
Social Justice and Equity Studies
Master of Arts in Social Justice and Equity Studies
Faculty Dean
David Siegel
Faculty of Social Sciences
Associate Faculty Dean
David DiBattista
Faculty of Social Sciences
Graduate Faculty
Professors
David Butz (Geography), June Corman (Sociology), Ann Duffy (Sociology), Daniel Glenday (Sociology), Jane Helleiner (Sociology), Michael Ripmeester (Geography), Murray E.G. Smith (Sociology), John Sorenson (Sociology)
Associate Professors
Hevina Dashwood (Political Science), Karen Krug (Tourism and Environment), Carmela Patrias (History), Rebecca Raby (Child & Youth Studies), Dragos Simandan (Geography), Susan Spearey (English Language and Literature)
Assistant Professors
Robert Alexander (English Language & Literature), Kate Bezanson (Sociology), Jeff Boggs (Geography), Dale Bradley (Communications Studies, Popular Culture & Film), Jonah Butovsky (Sociology), Nancy Cook (Sociology), Ifeanyi Ezeonu (Sociology), David Fancy (Dramatic Arts), Ellen Faulkner (Sociology), Ana Isla (Women's Studies and Sociology), Dan Malleck (Community Health Sciences), Voula Marinos (Child & Youth Studies), Catherine Jean Nash (Geography), Mary-Beth Raddon (Sociology), Dennis Soron (Sociology), Michelle Webber (Sociology)
Adjunct Professors
Amanda Glasbeek (Social Sciences, York), A. Bonny Ibhawoh (History, McMaster)
Graduate Program Director
David Butz
dbmarley@brocku.ca
Administrative Assistant
Linda Landry905-688-5550, extension 3455
Academic South, 401
http://www.brocku.ca/sociology/socialjustice
Program Description
The ability to understand and analyse struggles and inequities associated with ability, age, gender, sexuality, racism, and class has become increasingly important at the dawn of the 21st century. This innovative interdisciplinary MA program responds to the growing need for individuals trained in the expanding field of social justice and equity scholarship by offering preparation in theory and research methods that explicitly link local, national and global processes to social justice and equity issues. The program unites scholars from distinct academic disciplines to provide an exciting breadth and diversity of perspectives. While the program is housed in the Department of Sociology, it is made up of participating faculty from Child and Youth Studies, Communications Studies, Popular Culture and Film, Community Health Sciences, Dramatic Arts, English Language and Literature, Geography, History, Labour Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Tourism and Environment and Women's Studies. Students will be equipped to pursue doctoral studies and to offer their expertise as policy makers or policy consultants to social advocacy and social movement organizations as well as a wider public.
Admission Requirements
Successful completion of an Honours Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline, with a minimum overall average of 75%. In keeping with its interdisciplinary character, the program welcomes students from a variety of academic backgrounds. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate adequate training in research skills as well as proficiency in English. Applicants must supply a statement outlining their research background, interests and goals.
The Graduate Admissions Committee will review all applications and recommend admission for a limited number of suitable candidates.
Individuals interested in part-time study should consult with the Graduate Program Director.
Degree Requirements
Students will consult with the Director when planning their programs of study. Graduate students follow either scheme A or scheme B.
Scheme A: Course Work and Thesis
The program of study will include: SJES 5F90 (thesis), SJES 5P01, SJES 5P02, SJES 5P03 and one half-credit elective. The elective will normally be offered within the Social Justice and Equity Studies program; however, subject to the approval of the Director, students may fulfill this requirement by taking a course offered by another Brock graduate program, a graduate course at another Ontario university, or a Directed Studies course. Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient preadmission background.
Thesis
In addition to course requirements, each student must complete, and defend at a public oral examination, a thesis that demonstrates a capacity for independent work and original research or thought. The thesis topic shall be chosen in consultation with the Supervisor and other members of the Supervisory Committee. A formal thesis proposal must be approved by the Committee. Scheme A is intended for students who are prepared to do an in-depth project on a specialized topic.
Scheme B: Course Work and Major Essay
The program of study will include: SJES 5F91 (major essay), SJES 5P01, SJES 5P02, SJES 5P03, and three half-credit electives. Of the three additional courses, two will normally be offered as electives within the Social Justice and Equity Studies program and one will normally be a course offered by another Brock graduate program, a graduate course at another Ontario university, or a Directed Studies course. All courses must be pre-approved by the Director. Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient preadmission background.
Major Essay
In addition to course requirements, each student must complete a major essay that demonstrates capacity for independent work and original research or thought. The major paper shall be chosen in consultation with a Supervisor and will be evaluated by the Supervisor and a second faculty reader. Students interested in pursuing a broader range of courses should enrol in Scheme B.Full-time students must complete one year of full-time study (three successive terms). Full-time students in Scheme A will normally enrol in SJES 5P02, SJES 5P03 and SJES 5P01 in the fall term (note that SJES 5P01 normally runs over two terms), and an elective in the winter term. Full-time students in Scheme B will normally enrol in SJES 5P02, SJES 5P03, and SJES 5P01 (note that SJES 5P01 normally runs over two terms) and a minimum of one additional course in the fall term. In the winter term students in Scheme B will normally enrol in two additional courses.Part-time students will normally take one of either SJES 5P02 or SJES 5P03 in the first term and at least one half-credit course per year thereafter.
Facilities
The program has a graduate student office equipped with computers and internet access. Participating faculty are affiliated with international, national and local agencies and organizations working in the areas of social justice and equity issues. These linkages have the potential to facilitate exciting research opportunities for students in this program.
Course Descriptions
Note: Not all courses are offered in every session. Students must consult with the Graduate Program Director regarding course offerings and course selection and must have their course selections approved by the Graduate Program Director each term. Refer to the Timetable for scheduling information:
http://www.brocku.ca/registrar/guides/grad/timetable/terms.php
SJES 5F90
Thesis
An in-depth research project involving the preparation and defense of a thesis which shall demonstrate capacity for independent work and original research or thought.
SJES 5F91
Major Essay
A major essay which shall demonstrate capacity for independent work and original research or thought.
SJES 5P01
Graduate Seminar
In a small group forum, students hone their skills in developing research projects. A broad range of theoretical, methodological and empirical approaches to social justice and equity research are introduced through a speaker series incorporated within the course.
SJES 5P02
Theorizing Social Justice and Equity Studies
Students are prepared to critically evaluate classical and contemporary theories of social inequality and social justice through case studies drawn from local, regional, national and international levels.
SJES 5P03
Research Methods in Social Justice and Equity Studies
Students are prepared to critically evaluate major research methods used in social justice and equity research through case studies at local, national and international levels.
SJES 5P20
Domination and Resistance
Theories and case studies of domination and resistance in both historical and global contexts. Topics may include exploitation, colonialism, postcolonialism, globalization, counter-hegemonic social identities.
SJES 5P25
Social Justice and the City
Theories and case studies examining social and economic inequalities and their relation to processes of urbanization. Topics may include oppressive urbanism, cultural politics of difference, contested terrains of justice and urban social movements.
SJES 5P30
Consumption and Environment
Theories and case studies examining the social inequities and social movements associated with issues such as consumerism, environmentalism, sustainable development, and their articulation with other social inequities and struggles at local, national and global levels.
SJES 5P35
Animal Liberation and Social Justice
Theories and case studies examining social justice beyond the limits of the human species, including issues such as animal rights, animal liberation, speciesism in relation to other forms of oppression, alternative ethical and political relationships to animals.
SJES 5P40
Gender and Sexuality
Theories and case studies examining the social inequities and social movements associated with issues such as gender and sexual identities and their articulation with other social inequities and struggles at local, national and global levels.
SJES 5P50
Labour and Family
Theories and case studies examining historical and current social inequities and social movements associated with such issues as family life, work and employment and their articulation with other social inequities and struggles both historical and at local, national and global levels.
SJES 5P60
Human Rights and Social Justice
Theories and case studies of the historical development and implementation of legal initiatives in the broad field of social justice and equity at local, national and global levels.
SJES 5P70
Social Justice and the Arts
Theories and case studies examining how social justice and equity issues emerge in literary texts, plays, films, music and other media, and how the arts and media are linked to struggles for social justice at local, national and global levels.
SJES 5V10-5V29
Directed Studies
Specialized study on an individual basis under the direction of a faculty supervisor.
SJES 5V80-5V89
Selected Topics in Social Justice and Equity Studies
A topic in social justice and equity studies that will vary by instructor