Advocacy and Social Justice
Overview
This unit provides pre-service teachers with an understanding of the concept of social justice and the skills and motivation to use that understanding to be effective advocates for children, families and their profession. An additional aim is that they gain a commitment to social justice as professionals and to teach children effectively about fairness, equity and social justice. Pre-service teachers will also gain knowledge and understanding of theoretical perspectives relating to difference and diversity. They will learn about an anti-bias approach and explore its implications for their teaching as they explore ways of developing meaningful connections with children, families, and the community.
Requisites
Rule
EDU30015 Curriculum and Pedagogy for Primary: Practicum 3P
OR
EDU30003 Curriculum, Planning and Assessment for Infants: Practicum 3E
AND
237.5 credit points from one of:
BA-EDUPRI (1) Bachelor of Education (Primary)
OR
BA-EDUEC (2) Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood)
OR
BA-EDECP (S) Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary)
OR
BA-EDUECT (S) Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)
OR
BA-EDU (S) Bachelor of Education
08-June-2025
02-November-2025
08-February-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Identify, describe and define categories of diversity and difference
- Critically examine and apply principles of social justice
- Apply knowledge of teaching strategies, responsive to the learning strengths and needs of children from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Critically reflect to identify and challenge their own and others’ bias and stereotypes from an informed and principled perspective
- Critically evaluate strategies that support students' learning needs that align with relevant legislative requirements
- Work collaboratively to develop strategies for advocacy and activism to promote the rights, interests and needs of children and their families in relation to equity and inclusion
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Lecture |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| On-campus Class |
3.00 | 8 weeks | 24 |
| Specified Activities Various |
4.00 | 12 weeks | 48 |
| Unspecified Activities Various |
5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Swinburne Online
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 12.50 | 12 weeks | 150 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Study | Individual | 40% | 1,2,4 |
| Report and Presentation | Individual/Group | 60% | 3,5,6 |
Content
- Concepts of equity, diversity, and social justice
- Bias and stereotypes and related curriculum
- Cultural competence – values and attitudes
- Family resources and social disadvantage
- Federal and jurisdictional policies related to diversity and difference
- Contemporary Australian Indigenous issues and perspectives
- Advocacy, activism and the role of the professional
- Ethics and ethical decision making
- Children as active contributors to communities
- Critical theory and pedagogy
- Children's rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
- Teachers' rights and wellbeing
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.