Item #1 – Equality of Educational Opportunity
Topic: Discuss the issues surrounding the so-called “feminization of poverty,” and the impact of this process on equality of opportunity for education.
Format: approx. 2100 words
Sources: Number of sources: 10
Please ONLY use academic sources and also refer to course readings:
Gaskell, J. (1993). Feminism and Its Impact on Educational Scholarship in Canada. In L. Stewin & S. McCann (Eds.), Contemporary educational issues: The Canadian mosaic (2nd ed.) (pp. 145–160). Toronto: Copp Clark. https://wcs.lms.athabascau.ca/file.php/241/readings/Gaskell_1993.pdf
Perry, G. (2003). “A concession to circumstances”: Nova Scotia’s “unlimited supply” of women teachers, 1870–1960. Historical studies in education, 15(2): 327–360. http://historicalstudiesineducation.ca/index.php/edu_hse-rhe/article/view/458/620
Item #2 – Multiculturalism, Culture and Identity in the Classroom
Topic: “A commitment to equity means a commitment to social justice. This includes a commitment to removing established barriers and biases in school policies, programs, and practices so that the intended learning outcomes may be achieved by students of all societal groups, including those that have been traditionally disadvantaged. (** Ontario Ministry of Education Curriculum Document 1993, cited in Varpalotai, p. 242)
1) Discuss the above statement in relation to traditionally disadvantaged groups within the education system and the “established barriers and biases” that exist for these groups.
2) Critically evaluate strategies for the eradication of such biases, and for establishing recognition of differences and inclusion within the curriculum.
** Varpalotai, A. (1995). Affirmative action for a just and equitable society. In R. Ghosh & D. Ray (Eds.), Social change and education in Canada (3d ed.) (pp. 240–253). Toronto: Harcourt Brace.
Format: approx. 2100 words
Sources: Number of sources: 10.
Please ONLY use academic sources and also refer to course readings:
Fleras, A., & Elliott, J. (2003). Unequal relations: An introduction to race and ethnic dynamics in Canada (4th ed.). Toronto: Prentice Hall https://wcs.lms.athabascau.ca/file.php/241/readings/Fleras_Ch10.pdf
* It can be argued that multiculturalism is more than a policy description. It could be an ideology used to inform and guide Canadian society. Multiculturalism prescribes a set of ideas and ideals consistent with the principles of cultural pluralism and modeled after the liberal virtues of freedom, tolerance and respect for the individual.
