This thesis was an examination of my own practice in critical literacy teaching for social justice in Language Arts. The intention was to evaluate the effectiveness of a teacher inquiry process in improving social justice based instructional practice. Particularly, developing critical literacy skills with students was a focus. Emphasis was placed on the role of “text analyzer”, who “understands that texts are not neutral, that they represent particular views and perspectives, that other views and perspectives may be missing, and that the design of messages of texts can be critiqued and alternatives considered” (Freebody & Luke, 1990). By examining perspectives and points of view in text, students moved toward understanding agency, oppression and empowerment. Learnings included identifying an operational framework for developing a social justice orientation to teaching and integrating social justice teaching across a variety of curriculum areas.

This thesis was an examination of my own practice in critical literacy teaching for social justice in Language Arts. The intention was to evaluate the effectiveness of a teacher inquiry process in improving social justice based instructional practice. Particularly, developing critical literacy skills with students was a focus. Emphasis was placed on the role of “text analyzer”, who “understands that texts are not neutral, that they represent particular views and perspectives, that other views and perspectives may be missing, and that the design of messages of texts can be critiqued and alternatives considered” (Freebody & Luke, 1990). By examining perspectives and points of view in text, students moved toward understanding agency, oppression and empowerment. Learnings included identifying an operational framework for developing a social justice orientation to teaching and integrating social justice teaching across a variety of curriculum areas.

This thesis deals with the ethical aspects of the development assistance and the humanitarian aid. The provision of international assistance has brought lots of successes, however, it also faces a numer of failures and it is associated with many errors and prejudices. This thesis deals with the concrete ethical principles of the internetional aid such as humanity, solidarity, subsidiarity, justice or responsibility and their limits, as well as some of dilemmas of helping workers.