Adopting a Human Rights Framework to Support Social Justice Through the Teaching of Social Studies

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

The symposium critically examines how a human rights framework is used in social studies to support social justice in contrasting international contexts. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Universal Declaration of Human Rights provide a set of principles (equality; dignity; freedom of speech and belief; freedom from fear and want) that can be applied in any context, including social studies classrooms. The panellists, based in Europe, Latin America, North America and the Arab world, have wide experience of transnational research and collaboration. The papers present empirical studies and develop theory to support social justice. They address: student perceptions of human rights and diversity and attitudes to participation; and teacher and student-teacher applications of human rights principles.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Social Studies Research

Chair

• Lisa L. Zagumny, Tennessee Technological University

Papers

• Is Explicit Human Rights Education Necessary or Sufficient for Social Justice? The Case of Norway - Audrey Helen Osler, University College of South East Norway

• Learning About Social Justice Through Adolescents' Right to Participation in School in Mexico - Leonel Perez Exposito, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana

• Human Rights Education in Kuwait: Interrupting Hegemonic Islamic Discourses and Exploring Social Justice - Rania Al-Nakib, Gulf University for Science and Technology

• Human Rights as Powerful Knowledge for Teachers in Contexts of Superdiversity - Hugh Starkey, UCL Institute of Education - London

Discussant

• Walter Parker, University of Washington - Seattle