“Big Idea Challenges” (BIC) are central to this course. These challenges encourage you to apply the big ideas and theories you are learning in this course to the world outside of our virtual classroom. You will find a list of challenges below and at the end of each module when you see this star logo. You will submit your BIC(s) on eClass.
Please check eclass for the required number of BICs and deadlines.
Below, you will find some exceptional responses to the Big Idea Challenges from previous semesters, included with the permission of former students. You may use these as inspiration and cite their work in yours.
NOTE: For some modules, there are multiple challenges from which to choose, whereas there is only one option for other modules. Choose only one!
Requirements
Format
For this assignment, you can choose from a variety of formats. This course encourages you to connect theory with practice, so think about how to share information about gender & social justice issues in a way that reaches wide audiences effectively. I encourage you to get creative — if you have an idea that isn’t listed here, please book an office hours appointment with your Instructor or TA, and we can discuss it! Here are some ideas:
- record a video with slides and visuals and post it to YouTube. You may post your video as unlisted, meaning only those with the link can view it. Review some tips on how to use slide decks effectively. You may not submit a slide deck without an accompanying audio or video presentation. The recommended length is between 5-7 minutes. Your response should not be any shorter, and not significantly longer. Any more than 10 minutes is too long!
- Try digital storytelling! Create a short digital story explaining your response to the challenge. Your video should be no more than 5 minutes.
- Create an infographic. These are most effective when they are not dominated by text, so do not write an essay and then put it on an infographic.
- Create a photo essay. Here is an example by an award-winning photo-journalist, Amber Bracken. Do not worry — your photo essay doesn’t have to be this spectacular to be successful in this course! Recommended length: approx. 750 words, plus photographs.
- Create an Instagram story featuring a set of Instagram slides. Before you begin, look up some examples of social media influencers or organizations creating content about social justice. One example is Climate Justice Edmonton. You can submit a short, 500-word description of your Instagram story if your post requires more context to meet the assignment requirements.
- Write a short essay of between 800-1000 words in response to the Big Idea Challenge that you have chosen. Make sure to respond to the task set forth in the BIC. You should consult the tips about how to cite, how to paraphrase, and how to use quotations effectively, which you can find in the academic tool kit and on eclass.
Integrating Assigned Resources
- You must integrate a discussion of at least two assigned resources from the course. At least one of these must be from the particular module from which you’ve chosen your challenge. For example, if you are completing a challenge from Module One, you must integrate a discussion of the assigned resource from Module One by Iris Marion Young, and choose at least one other assigned resource from the course.
- Remember, assigned resources are those texts listed on the assigned resources page from each module. It is not enough to refer to the lessons alone.
- You must adequately reference all material you use. If you are unsure how to do that, consult the academic tool kit. Make sure to include a list of references. You can add a slide at the end of your video, for example. Use the Chicago style guide for your bibliography.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I submit a video or presentation file? You can upload your video to YouTube using your UAlberta email address and login credentials. You can make the video unlisted, meaning only people with the link can view it. This is the best way to submit your video to ensure everyone can open it. You may also use Google Drive. Save your file there and submit the link in eclass. Check your sharing settings so that everyone with the link can open your video or presentation.
- Can I make a PowerPoint and add audio? Yes, you can do this, but I find a video tends to be a more effective format because you can introduce your presentation, and we can follow along with you.
- How will I be assessed? You are being assessed based on the ways you incorporate a discussion of the big idea for the module and the assigned resources for this module into your response to the challenge. No matter the format you are using, you must incorporate a discussion of at least two assigned resources from the course. Ensure you incorporate specific examples from the lessons and assigned resources into your response. You should support this with an example every time you make a claim. Be sure to define key concepts with some depth and with reference to lessons and readings. For example, if you say, “Indigenous languages are vital to the pursuit of social justice”, you should explain how you understand the concept of social justice using the lesson from Module One and the assigned resources by Iris Marion Young. There is a rubric available on eClass.
- Will I receive a lower mark if I do an essay instead of something more creative? No, you will not receive a lower grade for choosing to do a more traditional essay than a video or Instagram story. Like all students, however, you will be assessed on how effectively you communicate. So, if your writing contains spelling mistakes or sentence fragments, for example, this will impact your grade. Spell- and grammar check your work. You may find using Grammarly helpful.
- Where do I submit my assignment? Please check out eclass to learn how to submit your assignment.
- How do I reference assigned texts? Here’s a guide to using Chicago style to cite sources. You can also access a sample paper that shows you how to reference using Chicago. You may use another citation style as long as you use it consistently.
- Can I review other students’ challenges as examples? Yes. Below, you will find outstanding examples of students’ work from previous years. Notice how each example incorporates central course ideas and concepts and references their sources.
- What if I need help? Book an office hours appointment with your Instructor or TA (see eClass). We recommend coming to office hours at least one week before your challenge is due, preferably sooner.
More questions about the Big Idea Challenge? Post them on eClass!
MODULE ONE: GENDER & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Remember! For some modules there are multiple options from which to choose, whereas there is only one option for other modules. Choose only one!
1) LEARN & SHARE ONE CREE WORD
Learn and share a Cree word that can help inform a social justice approach to gender studies. For example, you might learn the Cree word for ‘Edmonton’ and tell us why learning this word helps inform a social justice approach to gender studies. You must share the pronunciation of the words as best you can. Remember to relate your response to the big idea for Module One, which is “social justice”. Use and reference course materials, including lessons, lectures, and at least two assigned course resources to do this.
Here are some links to help you get started learning some Cree words:
- The Cree Literacy Network
- The Online Cree Dictionary
- The University of Alberta Wahkohtowin Law & Governance Lodge
- Voices of Amiskwaciy
- Dr. Lana Whiskeyjack’s Digital Stories
To cite: Dennis, Ashlynn. 2022. “Wahkohtowin.” Big Idea Challenge 1. wgs102: Gender & Social Justice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvvMqx-xEKI
2) LEARN ABOUT THE PLACE YOU CALL ‘HOME’
Check out this map at native-land.ca. Find your home on the map, do some research online to learn a bit about the territory’s history. What’s the traditional Indigenous name for the place you call home? Learn how to pronounce it. Go for a walk. Take photographs or a video of things you notice about your surroundings. For example, what do you notice about the street names, the name of your neighbourhood, your neighbours, the landscape, river, or trees? Are there monuments nearby? Schools? Community centres? Do you think about your location differently after learning a bit about the territory you’re from? How might your new understanding inform your approach to studying gender and social justice? Share your reflections with your classmates. You can upload a video, a poem, a short story, a photo essay, or an audio recording — you can be creative!
Remember to incorporate and reference material from at least two course resources, lectures, and lessons, and link your response to gender and social justice.
GET INSPIRED! Check out Ayla’s reflection on what it means to think about social justice on Treaty 6 territory through her “treaty walk” (Fall 2020), Mya’s discussion of St. Albert (Winter 2022), or Mikayla’s reflections on Viking, AB (Winter 2022).
to cite: Baumle, Mya. 2022. “Learn About Your Home: St. Albert, AB.” Big Idea Challenge 1. wgs102: Gender & Social Justice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDLff5s0LzA
To cite: Carrington, Mikayla. 2022. “The Place I Call Home.” wgs102: Gender & Social Justice. https://youtu.be/7arYtW-Dt8o
MODULE TWO: WOMEN’S MOVEMENTS & FEMINIST THEORIES
1) PLAN YOUR OWN GENDER REVEAL PARTY
GET INSPIRED! Below is a short story by Kat (Winter 2022), followed by Holly’s description of her gender reveal party (Fall 2020).
to cite: Kat. 2022. “Gender reveal party.” wgs102: Gender & Social Justice. https://wgs102.org/big-idea-challenge/
2. Transgender in the News
Find a news article that discusses a local, national, or international issue related to transgender. Ensure the article you’ve identified is no more than 12 months old. Explain the issue the article discusses.
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MODULE THREE: INTERSECTIONALITY & BLACK FEMINIST THOUGHT
Remember! For some modules there are multiple options from which to choose, whereas there is only one option for other modules. Choose only one!
1) RESEARCH BLACK WOMEN TRAILBLAZERS
Research one of the following Black women trailblazers. Teach your colleagues about her. Who is she? What did she do? Why is her story important?
- Sophia B. Jones, the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Michigan’s Medical School
- Bernice Redmon, the first Black Canadian woman nurse
- Edmonton civil rights activist Lulu Anderson
- Violet King Henry, the first Black woman lawyer in Canada
- Rosemary Brown, the first woman elected to a provincial legislature in Canada
- Jean Augustine, the first Black woman elected to Canada’s House of Commons
Get inspired! Read about Dr. Malinda S. Smith’s research on Black women trailblazers here.
Check out Dedi Nyong’s discussion of Sophia B. Jones here (Winter 2022). To cite: Nyong, Dedi. 2022. “Sophia B. Jones.” wgs102: Gender & Social Justice.
2) STUDY BLACK FEMINIST SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
Choose either the Black Lives Matter movement or the #MeToo movement. Explain why the movement is an intersectional feminist movement that is connected to Black feminist thought.
Checkout Abbie’s instagram post here.
To cite: Raza, Abbie. 2022. “Feminist Voices Within Black Lives Matter.” wgs102: Gender & Social Justice. https://www.instagram.com/p/CZkYflWvlp_/?utm_medium=copy_link
REMEMBER! You must define the big idea for the module and reference assigned resources in your response. Be sure to include specific examples from at least two assigned resources.
MODULE FOUR: INDIGENOUS FEMINISMS & 2S IDENTITY
1) “OHTISIY” STORIES
Watch this digital story by Dr. Lana Whiskeyjack about “ohtisiy” or belly button teachings, shared by Alsena White. Do belly button teachings reflect Indigenous feminist theory? If so, how? If not, why?
Remember to define the big idea from this module. Use and reference examples from assigned resources and lessons to support your points.
2) DISCUSS THE WET’SUWET’EN MATRIARCHS
Review Amber Bracken’s photo essay for the Narwhal, “In photos: Wet’suwet’en matriarchs arrested as RCMP enforce Coastal GasLink pipeline injunction“. Discuss Bracken’s photo essay using the Indigenous feminist framework of land/body consent, as outlined in the NYSHN & WEA Report (one of the assigned resources for this module). Provide examples from the photo essay, the assigned resources, and lessons from the module.
Read Jessica F’s discussion of Bracken’s essay below!
REMEMBER! You must define the big idea for the module and reference assigned resources in your response. Be sure to include specific examples from at least two assigned resources.
MODULE FIVE: QUEER POLITICS
1) STUDY THE EDMONTON QUEER HISTORY APP USING A QUEER INTERSECTIONAL LENS
Download the Edmonton Queer History App. Analyze the app using a queer politics/queer intersectional lens.
Provide specific examples from the app, from the lessons, and from at least two course resources in your discussion. Include proper references.
MODULE SIX: REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS & JUSTICE
1) REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE IN THE NEWS
Find a news article that discusses a local, national, or international issue of reproductive justice. Make sure the article you’ve identified is no more than 12 months old. Explain the issue at stake in the article. Consider how this issue relates to the concept of reproductive justice: Does the article reflect a reproductive rights or a reproductive justice approach?
In your discussion, you also want to introduce the article and its context, and address why you chose this article.
Work with at least two assigned resources and lessons. Make sure to define this module’s big idea.
2) APPLY A REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE LENS TO THE CASE OF MS. G
Do some research about the case of Ms. G, featured in the lesson on reproductive justice. Is Ms. G’s case a question of reproductive rights or reproductive justice, or both? Explain your response.
Make sure to include references to assigned resources and lessons from the module.
Note: you may wish to refer to additional resources, such as this report from Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice, or the Women’s Earth Alliance and Native Youth Sexual Health Network’s report, featured in Module 4 and posted to eClass.
MODULE SEVEN: ECOFEMINISMS & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Remember: you only have to choose one of the options below!
1) THE GREEN NEW DEAL
What is the “Green New Deal”? Discuss the Green New Deal using an ecofeminist approach. Is the Green New Deal a form of ecofeminism, or do you think it reflects values of environmental justice, or a different form of environmentalism? Explain your argument.
REMEMBER! You must define the big idea for the module and reference at least two assigned resources in your response. Be sure to include specific examples from assigned resources.
2) AN ECOFEMINIST ANALYSIS OF CARBON TAXES
What is a carbon tax? Are carbon taxes ecofeminist? Why or why not? You may consult additional research to explain your response, but you may also construct your own argument based on what you’ve learned about ecofeminism.
REMEMBER! You must define the big idea for the module and reference at least two assigned resources in your response. Be sure to include specific examples from assigned resources.
MODULE EIGHT: THE WEST AND THE GLOBAL SOUTH
1) APPLY A POSTCOLONIAL FEMINIST LENS TO NEWS MEDIA
Find a recent news article or podcast, from within the last year, on women or girls in the Global South. Make sure you define the term “the Global South”. Use a postcolonial feminist lens to analyze the article or podcast. You must define postcolonial feminism.
Make sure you refer to at least two assigned resources in your work and reference all your sources using the author-date format.
2) ANALYZE A CHARITY SUPPORTING WOMEN AND GIRLS IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH
Find a charity or fundraising campaign aimed at supporting women and girls in the global South. Analyze this campaign through a postcolonial feminist lens. Make sure you define the terms “the Global South” and postcolonial feminism. Draw upon concepts from this module in your analysis.
REMEMBER! Your response must define the module’s big idea and reference at least two assigned resources. Be sure to include ideas and concepts from at least two assigned resources.
MODULE NINE: WOMEN, GENDER, & WORK
1) REFLECT ON YOUR OWN WORK HISTORY
Using what you’ve learned in this module, reflect on your own history of paid and unpaid work. Make sure you apply the big idea from this module (“neoliberalism”) to your discussion of your own work history.
You should include ideas from at least two assigned resources and reference all your sources of information using the author-date format.
MODULE TEN: SOCIAL JUSTICE & THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
1) DISCUSS A SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT EMERGING FROM WITHIN A CANADIAN PRISON.
Find an example of a social justice movement emerging from within a Canadian prison. What are the people who are incarcerated fighting for? Why?
Make sure you connect your discussion to the big idea for the module, and substantively reference at least two assigned resources. Reference all your sources using the author-date format.
2) DISCUSS ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO CRIME & PUNISHMENT.
Identify an example of an approach to justice that deviates from the retributive prison system. You may choose an example from a different national, provincial, or local context. For example, you could explain the Norwegian approach — does this provide an alternative to the retributive model? Why or why not?
Develop your argument by drawing on at least two resources from the course. Make sure you reference all your sources of information.
MODULE ELEVEN: GENDER & DISABILITY JUSTICE
Remember: you only have to choose one of the options below!
1) THINK ABOUT PUBLIC SPACE THROUGH A DISABILITY JUSTICE LENS
Visit a public space. This could be a library, public building, university building or classroom, transit system, or park. Think about the space using the lens of disability justice. You may use the following questions to guide your analysis. You do not need to answer every question — these are just meant to inspire thought. How did you get there? Who is included within and excluded from the space? How are individuals and groups meant to use the space? How is the space structured or designed to include or exclude people? Whose access needs are met in the space and which are not? When can people access the space and when must they leave? In short, how does the space facilitate or impede principles of disability justice?
You must define the big idea for the module and draw on at least two assigned resources in your response. Be sure to include specific examples from assigned resources and reference all your sources using the author-date format.
2) IDENTIFY AN ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCE OR PROGRAM ON CAMPUS AND DISCUSS IT USING A DISABILITY JUSTICE LENS
You may wish to discuss the OnCampus program, academic accommodations, the testing centre, mental health/illness resources, or some other program on campus.
Analyse the program or resource by drawing on the big idea of this module and by drawing upon at least two course sources. Reference all material you use using the author-date style.