Social Justice and Intersectionality: Understanding and Strategies

Defining Social Justice

Introduction to your theme around social justice (500 Words Approx)

Then take the time to define social justice, what is it, what are the different types of justice and ‘fairness’ You may wish to consider a little depth here around equity, equality and meritocracy. Strengths and weaknesses of each would help alongside academic support. There are other definitions and types of social justice beyond the ones we have looked at. Feel free to use different definitions/types of fairness/justice.
 
Reflection on a chosen area (500 Words Approx)

Identify a chosen aspect of social justice from your practice as a practitioner/student/pupil. Reflect on the issue at hand (Attainment, Employability, Access to Education, Opportunity for education etc.) in relation to a chosen theme (Poverty, Race, Gender, Class, Inclusion). An example of this could be. ‘Attainment gaps within your school between children on FSM and non-FSM’ or ‘Promotion opportunities for men and women within a primary school’. Consider the fundamental problems you believe the issue has caused and the type of justice that the issue currently represents.
 
Theoretical consideration of chosen area (1200-1400 Words Approx)

Using a range of literature, review previous studies/information around the chosen area. Consider some of the reasons for the issue in the first place and previously considered strategies to counter the issue. Each time you consider a strategy, link it to the type of social justice you believe it represents. Also link in here theoretical concepts. I.e. if looking at attainment of children from BME backgrounds, consider not only previous studies around this but also concepts such as critical race theory and/or post-race theory. If doing poverty as an example you may look at capitals from Bourdieu, class may look at functionalism and ecological models etc. SEN may look at medical/social models (or other models).
 
Intersectional concepts (400 Words Approx)

Consider an overlapping theme that inter-relates with your chosen area. I.e. White (race) working class boys (class/gender) underperforming in comparison to middle class ethnic minorities or vice versa. SEND children (inclusion) with English as an additional language (Race). Black homosexual boy’s treatment in school. These are just example concepts but consider how more than one theme can often overlap with yours to create varying degrees of discrimination/opportunity/social mobility. Does this affect a ‘one size fits all’ strategy to solve the issue? Mention and define the term intersectionality in relation to this and draw clear links (through reading) between the overlapping themes.
 
Closing thoughts/strategies moving forward (400-500 Words)

Having looked over previous literature around the issue and your experiences. Identify some strategies you would implement as a practitioner in future, to tackle the chosen issue. Include some previous academic support and briefly touch upon the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen strategy/strategies. How realistic are they? What type of social justice do they encompass?