MA Program Reflection
In this section, I reflect on my experiences in the MA program across four key areas:
- Human Rights Coursework
- Social Justice Coursework
- Practicum
- Experiential Learning
These reflections capture my academic, personal, and professional growth throughout the program. Each section highlights how specific courses, assignments, or experiences shaped my understanding and practice of human rights and social justice.
1. Human Rights Coursework
My coursework in human rights has provided a comprehensive framework for understanding the legal, philosophical, and practical dimensions of human rights. Courses such as HRSJ 5010 – Foundations of Human Rights and Social Justice and HRSJ 5120 – Colonialism: Decolonization and Responsibility were particularly impactful.
Through these courses, I learned to critically analyze both historical and contemporary human rights issues, examining the ways systemic power and colonial legacies shape access to rights. Assignments, such as my paper on the decolonization of Indigenous peoples in Canada, allowed me to apply interdisciplinary theories while grounding them in real-world case studies. These experiences strengthened my ability to articulate complex ideas, assess policy implications, and critically engage with global and local human rights challenges.
2. Social Justice Coursework
Courses such as HRSJ 5160 – Social Justice and Culture and HRSJ 5260 – Moral Economies and Social Movements expanded my understanding of social justice as both structural and relational. I learned that social justice involves challenging inequities embedded in economic, cultural, and political systems while recognizing the lived experiences of marginalized communities.
Assignments in these courses encouraged me to explore creative solutions to social inequalities. For example, in a case study project, I proposed a community-based economic empowerment model for marginalized women in Nigeria, integrating my professional banking experience with social justice principles. This highlighted for me the importance of applied, context-sensitive solutions in achieving meaningful equity.
3. Practicum
My Practicum was the culmination of my academic and experiential learning, providing an opportunity to apply theory to practice. Working directly with individuals and communities facing systemic barriers helped me see human rights and social justice as lived realities rather than abstract concepts.
The Practicum also reinforced my understanding of ethical responsibility, intercultural competence, and community engagement. I learned to approach challenges with empathy, critical thinking, and solution-oriented strategies, bridging my academic knowledge with practical interventions. The experience deepened my commitment to creating sustainable change in marginalized communities.
4. Experiential Learning
Experiential learning throughout the program, especially in HRSJ 5020 – Indigenous Ways of Knowing: Resurgence of Land-Based Pedagogies and Practices, allowed me to learn through doing. Activities such as land-based learning, drumming, and reflection circles emphasized that knowledge is relational and embodied.
These experiences helped me connect human rights and social justice concepts to community, culture, and the environment. They also provided a lens to examine global parallels, linking Indigenous experiences in Canada to the struggles of marginalized communities in Nigeria. Experiential learning has reinforced that justice is not only theoretical but practical, relational, and transformative.