CANADIAN ISSUES 2105 (1201)
Topic: Human Rights Perspectives on Various Canadian Issues
Outcomes
To broaden the awareness of human rights as it applies to the various themes raised in the Canadian issues course.
To identify alternative perspectives in interpreting Canadian issues
To foster a greater knowledge of human rights in the Canadian context.
Curriculum Connections
Unit I Canadian Cultural and Social Issues
Equality and human rights
Racism
Aging
Multiculturalism
Unit II Canadian Political and Legal Issues
Labour and management
Unit III Canadian Economic and Environmental Concerns
Regional economic development and disparity
Entrepreneurship
Unemployment
Environment
Strategies
Equality and Human Rights
Striking a Balance p. 19 HRR rights and responsibilities
Out of the Dark p. 59 HRR disabilities and equality
He Hired Me On The Spot p. 116 ERR disabilities and equality
Rights Balloon Game p. 148 GTGL priorities and rights
Racism: Unit I
To Take Back Some of What Was Lost p. 124 HRR francophones in Nfld.
How We Laugh, What We Say p. 16 HRR language and racism
Small Town Bigots Are Alive and Well p. 83 CCR education and racism
Aging
Looking After Each Other p. 111 HRR home care and seniors
Piece of Toast p. 114 HRR dignity and age
Grandmother and Grandfather p. 31 ERR dignity and age
Multiculturalism
Glorious Rosettes p. 7 CCR def. of multiculturalism
Too Long a Plea for Innocence p. 10 CCR diversity and respect
Labour and Management
Freedom of Association p. 13 HRR unions
Attention Shoppers p. 25 ERR Sunday shopping
Children No Longer Work In Coal Mines. p.102 ERR child labour
Regional Economic Development
When Is Cod Fishing Cod Fishing? p. 63 ERR fisheries and poverty
Development or Dependence p. 79 ERR one-industry towns
Going Down the Road p. 91 ERR migration
Entrepreneurship
Mini-Golf and Gros Morne p. 76 ERR appropriate tourism
Under the Northern Lights p. 82 ERR appropriate technology
That Renegade Band . . . p. 85 ERR alternate ownership
Unemployment
Rollerblades p. 11 ERR the human price of
unemployment
Part-time Job: Full Time Exploitation p. 23 ERR part-time jobs and dignity
Environment
What is a Refugee p. 107 ERR environmental refugees
Implications for Teaching/Learning:
Although Canada's record of fostering human rights is far from perfect, we have nevertheless made great progress in its implementation. One important legal basis are the International Covenants and Conventions of the United Nations and the International Labor office. These documents are relatively easy to obtain (i.e. via the internet); there are specific ones for most of the themes identified in the curriculum connections; and the study of the documents will facilitate to the students' understanding of the identified curriculum connections.
As in most social studies, it is important that every theme be presented from different perspectives. One important consideration is an emphasis on responsibilities. Thus the study of racism should include responsibility to oppose racism; the study of entrepreneurship includes the social responsibilities of the entrepreneurs; or the study of unemployment includes the responsibility of a worker to perform to the best of his/her ability.
Legend:
ERR The Road Untravelled: An Economic Rights Reader
CCR The Way We Are: A Cross Cultural Reader
HRR Freedom and Responsibility: A Human Rights Reader
SR Let's Stop Racism: A Teacher's Guide
GTGL Global Teacher, Global Learner