Social Studies 1201/02

This unit provides students with the opportunity to examine the significance of rights in the lives of citizens. In particular, students should observe that more rights have been granted to citizens over time and that the application of these rights has become more universal.

In Unit 1, students examined how being in a position of underprivilege poses challenges for citizens and how activism can help promote social justice. This unit develops this idea further, examining how granting and enshrining rights can reduce injustice. 

During this investigation, students will consider

• the significance of rights 

• the responsibility of citizens to reduce injustice by defending the rights of others

• the challenges of balancing individual rights with the common good. 

The ideas examined in this unit will help prepare students for the outcomes in Units 4 and 5, since the concept of the rights of citizens is central to discussions of government and justice. 

The examples discussed in this unit provide opportunities to think critically about important issues related to justice. Students are encouraged to examine both their rights as citizens and their responsibility to be agents of positive change.