HRE2O - Independent Study - Social Justice

Part 1: The Symptoms - Where Do You Find Justice?

Identify modern themes of injustice (unfairness) that are prevalent (topical, present) in our time.

1. Search newspapers, magazines and the Internet for illustrations and stories that demonstrate individuals in the local or global community acting justly (fairly). Clip, photocopy or print and document (dated/cited) the article for inclusion to your project.  Answer the following reflection questions (see Part 5 for format) about two of these articles:

1.  Describe how this individual is working for justice.

2.  What difficulties do you think that this individual encounters?

2. Search for illustrations and stories that demonstrate the single theme of injustice.  Answer the following reflection questions about two of these articles:

1. How does the situation presented violate the 5 Catholic Principles of Social Justice?

2. Who is to blame in this case?

L     This part of the project should represent about 10% of your total time spent on the ISP.

Part 2: Scripture - Jesus & the Apostles were People of Justice  

Read the following Scripture references:

Matthew 5:38-45

Leviticus 9:18

1 Chronicles 29:12

Isaiah 2:3-4

Psalms 9:7-12

Proverbs 31:8-9

Isaiah 58:6-7

John 13:12-20

Mark 10:43-45

Acts 2:43-45

Micah 6:8

L      This part of the project should represent about 5% of your total time spent on the ISP.

Part 3: Research - Global Injustice

Investigate one global justice issue (e.g. distribution of wealth, war, racism, gender discrimination, ecological imbalances, child poverty). Use the Internet, books, magazines, databases, videos or any other appropriate research tool to examine the issue researched in light of the gospel message of Jesus and the church teachings on Justice found in the Catholic Catechism. Make sure you document your research! (Here's a site to help -- Here's another!) A list of useful Internet sites is included in this outline for a starting point.

The Roman Catholic Church=s Social Teachings can be summarized by five core principles:

1.        The dignity of the human person and the right to have that dignity respected from conception to death.  This principle teaches that we have the right to whatever we genuinely need in order to become full human beings (e.g. food, shelter, clothing, education).

2.       The reciprocal right and responsibility to be involved in the institutions which govern our lives.  This principle teaches that we are to both serve and be served by the institutions of the world.

3.       The primacy of the common good over the right to private property.  This principle teaches that the goods of the world are gifts to be shared rather than things to be possessed.

4.       The dignity of work and the rights of workers; especially the right to meaningful employment to a living wage and the right to organize (form unions/associations).

5.       The fundamental option in favour of the poor, the alienated and the marginalized within our society.  Jesus stands on the side of the poor and so must we.  A >fundamental option= is a choice, which is central, primary and expressed in action.  One example of a fundamental option for the poor would be the >Habitat Homes for Humanity= movement.

Understanding these five principles can help to guide us in our identification of just and unjust situation/behaviours and in acting in ways that promote justice.

C          

Who is involved?

Where in the world does this issue arise?

When did the issue arise?

What are the causes of the situation?

What can be done to remedy the situation?

What is the church=s position on the topic?

L               This part of the ISP represents a major research project.  It should represent about 80% of the time you invest in this assignment.  Make sure to properly cite every source you have used employing the MLA style! A list of 3 - 7 references is expected.

Part 4: What Can We Do?  

Write a reflection paper on your community service work you have undertaken this semester, or based on your research project, identify those organizations which are currently working to oppose the injustice.  Research one such organization and answer the following questions. Include the name and address of the organization, the mission statement or charter, what your duties were etc.  Do you think that this group is effective in providing community service?  What more could they be doing? How could they improve? Do you plan to continue you volunteer work with them? How have you changed? How have you changed someone else=s life?  Include in the paper Bible references and other supporting literature (e.g. Catholic Catechism) to direct your answer to the question AWhat Would Jesus Do?@ in performing your service work.

L      This part of the project should represent about 5% of your total time spent on the ISP.

Part 5: Presentation

Your Independent Study should be presented on 82" x 11" white paper stapled in the top left-hand corner.  Include a title page for the overall paper as well as title pages before each of the three sections.  Part 1 may be written in question and answer form but the reflections should be written in essay format as outlined in the school=s English Style Guide (e.g. double spaced- MLA style).  The length of each section should reflect the writer=s ability to adequately answer the questions posed in the outline in essay form. It is imperative that the student recognizes the importance of this project (10% of final grade!) and puts forth the research (substantiated by cited works) and writing (e.g. Part 3 essay ~ 1000 words) effort necessary to achieve a mark that reflects your ability. Failure to complete this assignment may result in a final mark of incomplete for the course.