Marginalization and Resistance in Diverse Communities

Students are required to write a 7–8-page paper (approximately 1750–2000 words), double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 point font, plus an additional cover page and reference page, with the subject being based on one of the communities or injustices we have covered in the course outline. This paper is an opportunity for students to expand on the learning they are interested in. Some things to consider: what are the barriers experienced by a community; what are the intersections of power, privilege, and oppression; what are the policies and practices in place that marginalize this community; what is the community’s response/mobilization to these issues. In order to provide enough depth, be sure to focus your topic. A minimum of 4 course readings/materials and 4 outside resources must be used to support the paper. A critical analysis involves not only presenting a summary of the discussion or description, but also going further in depth, asking critical questions, illustrating contradictions, identifying gaps or limitations, etc. This assignment serves to support students’ area of interest by expanding on one of the weekly topics by also integrating knowledge learned through course materials. This assignment is due by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Friday of Week 7. Course Overview: Engaging Diverse Communities Course Description This course focuses on developing practical skills for working with diverse communities and engaging marginalized or excluded groups to improve the well-being of neighborhoods and organizations. Students will learn how to: Assess community demographics and population characteristics. Understand how social, economic, political, and cultural factors affect community engagement. Develop and implement effective community outreach and engagement plans. Build partnerships and coalitions with diverse communities. Apply anti-oppressive, decolonizing, anti-racist, and social justice approaches to practice. Course Focus and Scope The course examines how power operates within social relationships and institutions to create exclusion and marginalization in the Canadian context. Key areas of study include: Power and Marginalization How power is defined, exercised, maintained, and reinforced. Structural oppression and its impact on communities. Social exclusion and marginalization. Institutional and Cultural Oppression The role of legislation, policies, and institutional practices. Cultural norms that sustain inequality and privilege. Systems that perpetuate discrimination and exclusion. Critical Reflexivity Examining personal assumptions and biases. Challenging dominant narratives. Understanding lived experiences of marginalized populations. Community Engagement and Social Change Community organizing and mobilization. Coalition building and advocacy. Grassroots resistance movements. Responses to neoliberal policies and ideologies. Guiding Frameworks Anti-oppressive practice Anti-racist practice Decolonizing approaches Intersectionality Social justice perspectives Course Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: Knowledge and Understanding Describe the multidimensional aspects of power, exclusion, and marginalization in Canada. Recognize social, economic, political, and cultural processes that create exclusion and inequality. Demonstrate critical understanding of policies, legislation, and institutional practices that sustain marginalization. Critical Analysis Explain how public policy, institutions, and organizations can support the engagement of marginalized communities. Analyze dominant discourses that maintain existing power structures and inequities. Professional Practice Skills Develop anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and decolonizing engagement practices. Build alliances and partnerships with diverse communities. Apply critical reflexivity to professional practice. Teaching and Learning Approach Learning Strategy The course uses an: Interactive learning model Participatory learning approach Student-centered framework Students are expected to: Draw upon their personal and professional experiences. Participate actively in discussions. Engage critically with course materials. Reflect on their own social location and practice. Intensive Course Format Delivered in a condensed 12-week online structure. No scheduled lectures. All materials are available in advance. Students must independently manage study schedules and deadlines. Course Content Delivery Course content includes: Learning Modules Each module contains: Core concepts Theoretical frameworks Practice models Community case studies Interactive Learning Activities Discussion boards Reflective exercises Self-assessments Multimedia learning resources Readings Readings expand upon: Community engagement theory Anti-oppressive practice Anti-colonial frameworks Community mobilization and resistance Social justice approaches Weekly Course Schedule Week 1: Introduction to Engaging Diverse Communities Topics Introduction and course orientation Foundations of community engagement The role of self in community practice Learning Objectives Understand community engagement concepts. Explain the importance of social location in practice. Assignment ✔ Discussion Activity Week 2: Colonization and Anti-Colonial Practice Topics Anti-colonial theory Colonial privilege Indigenous resistance and mobilization Learning Objectives Explain anti-colonial theory. Define colonial privilege. Examine Indigenous resistance movements. Assignment ✔ Discussion Activity Week 3: Anti-Oppressive Practice Topics Anti-oppressive practice Harm reduction Neoliberalism Practitioner roles Learning Objectives Explain anti-oppressive theory. Describe harm reduction principles. Analyze neoliberal impacts on community engagement. Assignment ✔ Discussion Activity Week 4: Power, Social Location, and Culture Topics Power Wheel analysis Intersectionality Cultural competence versus cultural safety Learning Objectives Analyze social location and power. Explain intersectionality. Differentiate cultural competence from cultural safety. Assignment ✔ Discussion Activity 📌 Marginalization and Resistance Paper Assigned Week 5: Anti-Black Racism Topics Anti-Black racism Anti-Black sanism Community resistance movements Learning Objectives Distinguish anti-Black racism and anti-Black sanism. Identify racist policies and institutions. Analyze community resistance strategies. Assignment ✔ Discussion Activity Week 6: Canada's History of Exclusion and Marginalization Topics Indigenous marginalization Immigration and racial exclusion Québécois exclusion Learning Objectives Explain historical processes of exclusion. Analyze Canada's colonial foundations. Examine settler privilege and power. Assignment ✔ Discussion Activity Week 7: Queer, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit Communities Topics Heterosexism and heteronormativity Gender and sexual identity continuums Two-Spirit identities and resistance Learning Objectives Analyze gender and sexual diversity. Identify heterosexism in practice. Understand Two-Spirit cultures and identities. Assignment Due 📌 Marginalization and Resistance Paper (40%) Week 8: Institutions of Surveillance and Social Control Topics Education systems and exclusion Policing and criminal justice Community responses to injustice Learning Objectives Identify oppressive educational practices. Analyze racial profiling. Evaluate community resistance strategies. Assignment None Week 9: Stigma, Dominant Discourse, and Resistance Topics Dominant family discourses Intersectionality and family status Racialization and feminization of poverty Learning Objectives Critique dominant family narratives. Recognize resilience and resistance. Analyze intersecting forms of oppression. Assignment None Week 10: Redefining (Dis)Ability Topics Medical, social, and critical disability models Neurodiversity Disability rights and activism Learning Objectives Differentiate disability models. Apply anti-colonial and social justice perspectives. Analyze responses to ableism. Assignment ✔ Discussion Activity Week 11: Leadership Development and Mobilization in the Non-Profit Sector Topics Community organizations Capacity building Leadership development Political action and advocacy Learning Objectives Identify mobilization challenges. Evaluate successful engagement strategies. Examine non-profit capacity-building efforts. Assignment Due 📌 Discussions and Participation Self-Assessment (30%) Week 12: Course Review and Quiz Preparation Topics Comprehensive review of course concepts Quiz preparation Learning Objectives Integrate and analyze key course themes. Assignment None Assessment Released 📌 End-of-Term Quiz (30%) Quiz Format May Include: Multiple Choice True/False Short Answer Questions Due: Friday, 11:59 p.m. (EST) Major Assessments Assessment Weight Marginalization and Resistance Paper 40% Discussions and Participation Self-Assessment 30% End-of-Term Quiz 30% Total 100% Key Themes for Exam and Assignment Preparation Focus especially on: Power and oppression Social location and intersectionality Anti-oppressive practice Anti-colonial and decolonizing frameworks Indigenous resistance and reconciliation Anti-Black racism and anti-Black sanism Queer, non-binary, and Two-Spirit identities Community mobilization and coalition building Disability justice and neurodiversity Dominant discourse and resistance Leadership and community engagement Critical reflexivity Social justice approaches to practice Quick Success Checklist ☐ Complete all required readings ☐ Participate in weekly discussions ☐ Take notes on key theories and concepts ☐ Prepare early for the Marginalization and Resistance Paper (40%) ☐ Submit the Participation Self-Assessment (30%) ☐ Review all modules before the End-of-Term Quiz (30%) ☐ Focus on applying anti-oppressive, anti-racist, anti-colonial, and intersectional perspectives throughout the course.