Social Justice Pre-Reflection
What is Social Justice? Social justice is broadly defined as having the “goal to decrease human suffering and to promote human values of equality and justice” (Vasquez, 2012).
Social Justice Psychology Classes acknowledge:
Psychology (and other healthcare fields) are not value-free. Psychologists’ world views shape research, textbooks, and therapy approaches.
Psychology generally addresses individuals; however, individuals do not develop in a vacuum. In fact, social inequities can influence development as much or more than genetics.
Self-examination of values, beliefs, and worldview is critical to learning and career development, as well as ethical treatment of others.
Social justice openly discusses diversity, equity and inclusion as well as power and privilege differences in systems.
Personal responsibility to dismantle inequitable systems so that all people truly are treated equitably and fairly.
Why Social Justice In this Class?
Most 99% of the students who take this course are in the healthcare field — nursing, psychology, mental health, addictions studies, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and speech therapy to name a few. These are all patient-centered, interactive work environments. In order to treat your patients/clients and co-workers equal and fairly, it is important to critically examine how human development may impact ours and others lives and be empathic and compassionate to others different lived experiences.
This discussion board is a pre-reflection exercise, meant to assist you in thinking about this social justice class.
Take a few moments and think about these questions.
What three (3) personal/life values are most important to you? Why do you value those three things over others? How did these values impact your career choice?
Review this list of social justice issues (Social Justice Issues.pdf ; note: to open this file, you must have your pop-up blocker disabled. Otherwise, right click on the file name and click on “open in a new tab.”). What is the greatest social justice need in the community that you currently live in? Why is that and how do you know?
Consider your future career plans and list that career here; What social justice topic might be most critical to learn in this social justice human development class that relates to your future career? How might your future career potentially impacted by social justice issues?
Answer all 3 questions in depth (at least 100 words per question) and be sure to reply to a minimum of two classmates to get full credit for this discussion board. Don’t forget that there are timing points associated with the discussion board (see the Instructions for more detail).
