Last updated: February 17, 2023 @ 02:48PM
Social Justice and Equity Studies
Master of Arts in Social Justice and Equity Studies
Dean
Ingrid Makus
Faculty of Social Sciences
Associate Dean
Dawn Zinga
Faculty of Social Sciences
Core Faculty
Professors
David Butz (Geography and Tourism Studies), Maureen Connolly (Kinesiology), Nancy Cook (Sociology), Keri Cronin (Visual Arts), Hevina Dashwood (Political Science), Andrea Doucet (Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies), Ifeanyi Ezeonu (Sociology), Tim Kenyon (English Language and Literature), Tamari Kitossa (Sociology), Shannon Moore (Child and Youth Studies), Rebecca Raby (Child and Youth Studies), John Sorenson (Sociology), Nancy Taber (Education),
Associate Professors
Robert Alexander (English Language and Literature), Kate Bezanson (Sociology), Simon Black (Labour Studies), Robyn Bourgeois (Women's and Gender Studies), Liz Clarke (Communications, Popular Culture and Film), Diane Collier (Education), Lauren Corman (Sociology), Dan Cui (Child and Youth Studies), Joanne Crawford (Nursing), Gale Coskan-Johnson (English Language and Literature), Stefan Dolgert (Political Science), Hannah Dyer (Child and Youth Studies), Tamara El-Hoss (Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures), Curtis Fogel (Sport Management), Margot Francis (Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies), Tami Friedman (History), Jennifer Good (Communications, Popular Culture and Film), Harwood (Education), Anthony Kinik (Communication, Popular Culture, and Film), Voula Marinos (Child and Youth Studies), Trent Newmeyer (Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies), Michael O' Sullivan (Education), Shauna Pomerantz (Child and Youth Studies), Gyllian Raby (Dramatic Arts), Mary-Beth Raddon (Sociology), Susan Spearey (English Language and Literature), Karen Louise Smith (Communications, Popular Culture, and Film), Maria Del Carmen Suescun Pozas (History), Leanne Taylor (Education), Dawn Trussell (Sport Management), Ebru Ustundag (Geography and Tourism Studies)
Assistant Professors
Allison Braley-Rattai (Labour Studies), Michele Donnelly (Sport Management), Charlotte Henay (Women's and Gender Studies), Chelsea Jones (Child and Youth Studies), Pascal Lupien (Political Science), Liam Midzain-Gobin (Political Science), Gökbörü Sarp Tanyildiz (Sociology)
Lecturer
Scott Neufeld (Psychology)
Graduate Program Director
Trent Newmeyer
tnewmeyer@brocku.ca
Graduate Administrative Coordinator
Ginny McKinney
MA Social Justice and Equity Studies
905-688-5550, extension 5591 STH 400B
socialjustice@brocku.ca
brocku.ca/social-sciences/social-justice-and-equity-studies
Program Description
This innovative interdisciplinary MA in Social Justice and Equity Studies responds to the increasing need for individuals trained in the expanding field of Social Justice and Equity scholarship. Social Justice Studies is a growing field of study in Canadian universities. It is interdisciplinary, diverse and pluralistic in its theoretical traditions, substantive problematics, methods and approaches.
While the field of Social Justice and Equity Studies is open, it is not completely unbounded. Its emergence as an academic field has historically been linked to ethicopolitical movements for progressive social change. The objective of the SJES program is to train students in critical analysis of social justice and equity issues as related to processes and struggles associated with age, ability, gender, sexuality, racism, speciesism, the environment, class and other patterns of inequality. Training in both theory and research methods links processes operating at and across a range of geographical scales, from the local to the global.
The emergence of the field of Social Justice and Equity Studies also reflects recognition of the links between power and knowledge in the university. Social Justice and Equity Studies seeks to enact an emancipatory politics of knowledge in favouring voices and perspectives that have been historically marginalized and who are actively resisting domination. These legacies and commitments inform the teaching and research done under the auspices of the SJES program at Brock and the criteria for affiliation and admission to the program. The program unites scholars from distinct academic disciplines to provide an exciting breadth and diversity of perspectives.
The program is made up of participating faculty from Child and Youth Studies, Communication, Popular Culture and Film, Dramatic Arts, Education, English Language and Literature, Geography and Tourism Studies, History, Labour Studies, Political Science, Sociology, Sport Management, Visual Arts, and Women's and Gender 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 a four-year Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline, with a minimum average of 75%. The program welcomes students from a variety of academic backgrounds. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in English as specified in the section titled "Proof of English Language Proficiency" in the Brock University Graduate Calendar.
Prospective students need to meet the university minimum requirements from the various accepted language proficiency tests. For full listing of accepted tests see: brocku.ca/graduate-studies/future-students/international/english-language-proficiency/
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 or designated faculty liaison person when planning their programs of study. Graduate students follow either Scheme A, Scheme B or Scheme C.
Scheme A: Course Work and Major Research Paper
The program of study must include: SJES 5F91 (major research paper), SJES 5P01, SJES 5P02, SJES 5P03, and three half-credit electives. Of the three half-credit electives, 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 (OVGS), or a Directed Studies course. All courses must be pre-approved by the Director. Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient pre-admission background. Scheme A is designed to be completed in four terms (16 months).
Major Research Paper
To complete the requirements of SJES 5F91, each student must complete a major research paper 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 enroll in Scheme A.
Full-time students in Scheme A will normally enroll in SJES 5P02, SJES 5P03 and SJES 5P01 in the fall term (note that SJES 5P01 normally runs over two terms). In the winter term students in Scheme A will normally enroll in three half-credit elective courses.
Part-time students will normally take one of either SJES 5P02 or SJES 5P03 in the fall term and at least one half-credit course per year thereafter.
Scheme B: Course Work and Major Research Paper with Co-op
The program of study for Scheme B is identical to that of Scheme A with the following exceptions: (a) students in the co-op scheme take work placements (SJES 5N01 and 5N02) in the third and fourth terms of the program; (b) students take a mandatory pre-employment seminar (SJES 5N90) in the fall term of the program; and (c) one half-credit elective, which Scheme A students normally would take in the winter term, will be delayed until the fifth term of the program to allow co-op students time for the job search process.
The co-op requirement is normally two consecutive four-month work terms with the same employer, although two four-month work terms with different employers may be approved; in either case, students must register for and pass both work term courses (SJES 5N01 and SJES 5N02).
All co-op students pay an administrative fee in addition to regular tuition. This fee helps the University to recover a portion of the cost of maintaining and promoting co-op programs. Please see the Schedule of Fees for detailed information. Fees are subject to change.
Scheme B is designed to be completed in six terms (24 months).
Scheme C: Course Work and Thesis
The program of study must 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 (OVGS), or a Directed Studies course. Additional credits may be required of candidates with insufficient pre-admission background. Scheme C is designed to be completed in six terms (24 months).
Thesis
To complete the requirements of SJES 5F90, 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 C is intended for students who are prepared to do an in-depth project on a specialized topic.
Full-time students in Scheme C will normally enroll in SJES 5P02, SJES 5P03, and SJES 5P01 (note that SJES 5P01 normally runs over two terms) and a minimum of one half-credit elective in the winter term.
Part-time students will normally take one of either SJES 5P02 or SJES 5P03 in the fall term and at least one half-credit course per year thereafter.
Course Descriptions
Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable timetable for details.
Students must ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
SJES 5F90
MA 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 Research Paper
A major research paper which shall demonstrate capacity for independent work and original research or thought.
SJES 5N01
Co-op Employment I
Co-op work term (four months) with an approved employer providing a work integrated learning experience related to the student's chosen area of concentration. The co-op employment is full time with 35 to 40 hours per week for 12 to 16 weeks. Students are required to meet all the work term deliverables successfully (learning objective, work site visit, work term report and work term evaluation) and fulfill their employment contract in order to receive a “Satisfactory” grade for the work term.
SJES 5N02
Co-op Employment II
Co-op work term (four months) with an approved employer providing a work integrated learning experience related to the student's chosen area of concentration. The co-op employment is full time with 35 to 40 hours per week for 12 to 16 weeks. Students are required to meet all the work term deliverables successfully (learning objective, work site visit, work term report and work term evaluation) and fulfill their employment contract in order to receive a “Satisfactory” grade for the work term.
SJES 5N03
Co-op Employment III
Co-op work term (four months) with an approved employer providing a work integrated learning experience related to the student's chosen area of concentration. The co-op employment is full time with 35 to 40 hours per week for 12 to 16 weeks. Students are required to meet all the work term deliverables successfully (learning objective, work site visit, work term report and work term evaluation) and fulfill their employment contract in order to receive a “Satisfactory” grade for the work term.
SJES 5N90
Co-op Professional Preparation Course
The primary goal of this course is to provide graduate students with the tools, resources and skills to maximize co-op employment and professional development opportunities – both while at Brock and after graduation. This course is a pre-requisite for any co-op students who wish to participate in co-op job search and grade will be evaluated based on class participation including attendance and completion of professional projects.
SJES 5P01
Graduate Seminar
In a small group forum, students hone their skills in developing research projects. A broad range of topics and progressive approaches to social justice and equity research are introduced through guest speakers, workshops, and student presentations.
SJES 5P02
Theorizing Social Justice and Equity Studies
Critical analysis of classical and contemporary conceptualizations of social justice and social inequality.
SJES 5P03
Research Methods in Social Justice and Equity Studies
Critical analysis of methodologies used in social justice and equity research.
SJES 5P12
Bodies, Ableism and Disability Justice
Theories, case studies, and other texts examining historical and current social inequities and social movements associated with disability. Topics may include current and historical injustices such as exclusion and surveillance, representations of ability and disability, disability and intersectionality, policy, human rights, and activist responses.
SJES 5P20
Domination and Resistance
Theories, case studies, and other texts examining domination and resistance in both historical and global contexts. Topics may include exploitation, colonialism, postcolonialism, globalization, and counter-hegemonic social identities.
SJES 5P22
Indigenous Resurgence and Decolonization
Guided by the Two-Row Wampum treaty and emphasizing both Indigenous and settler/non-Indigenous responsibilities for decolonization. Taught using Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, including sharing circles, land-based learning, and teachings from traditional knowledge keepers.
SJES 5P25
Social Justice and the City
Theories, case studies, and other texts 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
Social Justice and Environment
Theories, case studies, and other texts examining the interconnectedness of social and environmental problems, and struggles to overcome them, in the context of capitalism and globalization.
SJES 5P35
Animal Liberation and Social Justice
Theories, case studies, and other texts 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, Sexuality, and Social Justice
Theories, case studies, and other texts 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 5P45
Active Voice: Social Justice and the Media
Theories, case studies, and other texts examining the representation of social justice and equity issues in the mainstream media and the struggle and strategies of alternative media to intervene in those representations.
SJES 5P60
Human Rights and Social Justice
Theories, case studies, and other texts examining the historical development and implementation of legal initiatives in the broad field of social justice and equity at local, national, and global levels.
SJES 5P65
Race, Ethnicity, Indigeneity, and Social Justice
Theories, case studies, and other texts examining the domination and resistance of racialized, ethnicized, and indigenous peoples and their articulation with other social inequities and struggles at local, national, and global levels.
SJES 5P70
Social Justice and the Arts
Theories, case studies, and other texts 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 5P80
Directed Study
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.