Social Justice 12 Labour History
This unit was developed for BC’s Social Justice 12 course by the Labour History Project, a partnership between the Labour Heritage Centre and the BC Teachers’ Federation with additional support from the BC Federation of Labour and the SFU Labour Studies Program.
These were produced in 2014:
Lesson 1: Good Jobs Needed
• A scenario and discussion about what makes a good job with a goal of connecting workplace issues to social justice
Lesson 2: Where Do You Stand?
• An interactive lesson where students consider ethical issues related to social justice and labour matters. Students engage in a self assessment of their own attitudes and values.
Lesson 3: The Folks Who Brought You the Weekend
• Activity for students to consider the role of the labour movement in achieving many social programs, policies, and laws we take for granted today.
Lesson 4: Trade Unions and Social Justice
• Readings on the connection between unions and social justice.
Lesson 5: Factory Simulation
• Interactive simulation/role play where students experience unfair work practices and consider solutions.
Lesson 6: History of the Labour Movement in BC
• Summary of the events and development of labour in BC. Suggested readings and documentaries.
Lesson 7: Case Study of the Big Strike
• Analysis of a strike, considering the role of workplace health and safety, race and gender, the power of government and law. Research project for students and culminating seminar.
Lesson 8: Workers and the Law
• Students connect human rights and workers rights, study key developments in workers and the government. Is government and law a helpful way for achieving social justice?
Lesson 9: Labour Leaders
• Students analyze the labour interests of well-known social justice leaders, then study the stories of BC labour leaders.
Lesson 10: Labour on Screen
• Recommendations for significant labour films with discussion and reflection questions.
Lesson 11: Social Justice, Workers, and the Global Economy
• Students are introduced to required terms connected to globalization, examine cases of the effects of economic globalization, and particularly trade liberalization.
Lesson 12: Globalizing Solidarity
• Students examine the concept of solidarity, challenges in maintaining solidarity, and some successful/ unsuccessful case studies.
Lesson 13: Labour Songs
• Analysis of key labour anthems, and opportunities for students to research and/or develop creative social justice projects