Fall SemeSter 2025 | UniverSity oF SoUth
aFrica (UniSa) | SJD1501 – Social DimenSion oF
JUStice | november/December 2025 exam StUDy
GUiDe | complete SUmmary noteS, aSSiGnmentS &
exam prep pack
Question 1:
What is the primary focus of social justice?
A) Economic inequality
B) Distribution of resources
C) Political power
D) Environmental sustainability
Correct Answer: B) Distribution of resources
Rationale: Social justice primarily emphasizes the fair distribution of resources and
opportunities within a society. It seeks to address inequalities that arise from systemic
structures and ensures that marginalized groups receive equitable access to necessary
resources.
Question 2:
Which philosopher is most associated with the concept of distributive justice?
A) John Rawls
B) Karl Marx
C) Friedrich Hayek
D) Aristotle
Correct Answer: D) Aristotle
Rationale: Aristotle is often credited with laying the groundwork for the concept of
distributive justice. He argued that justice involves giving individuals their due based on
merit and their contributions to society, which has influenced later theories of justice.
Question 3:
Which of the following is a key principle of restorative justice?
A) Repairing harm caused by criminal behavior
B) Punishment of offenders
C) Deterrence of future crimes
D) Isolation of offenders
,Correct Answer: A) Repairing harm caused by criminal behavior
Rationale: Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by criminal
behavior through inclusive processes that engage all stakeholders, including victims,
offenders, and the community. This approach contrasts with traditional punitive justice
systems that prioritize punishment.
Question 4:
What role does intersectionality play in understanding social justice?
A) It simplifies social justice issues.
B) It focuses on a single aspect of identity.
C) It ignores systemic inequalities.
D) It highlights how overlapping identities affect experiences of oppression.
Correct Answer: D) It highlights how overlapping identities affect experiences of
oppression.
Rationale: Intersectionality is a framework that examines how various social identities
(such as race, gender, class, and sexuality) intersect to create unique experiences of
oppression and privilege. Understanding intersectionality is crucial for addressing the
complexities of social justice issues effectively.
Question 5:
In the context of social justice, what does the term "equity" refer to?
A) Everyone receiving the same resources
B) Equal treatment for all
C) Fairness in access to opportunities and resources
D) Tailoring resources to individual needs
Correct Answer: D) Tailoring resources to individual needs
Rationale: Equity in social justice involves recognizing that individuals have different
needs and circumstances. It advocates for distributing resources in a manner that
accounts for these disparities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed
based on their unique situations.
Question 6:
Which of the following best describes social justice activism?
A) Advocacy for systemic change to address inequalities
B) Promoting individual success at any cost
C) Focusing solely on legal reforms
D) Supporting the status quo
,Correct Answer: A) Advocacy for systemic change to address inequalities
Rationale: Social justice activism is fundamentally about advocating for systemic
changes that address underlying inequalities and injustices within society, rather than
merely seeking individual or legal remedies.
Question 7:
What is the "veil of ignorance" concept proposed by John Rawls?
A) Ignoring social justice issues
B) A method for determining fairness without bias
C) A strategy for enforcing laws
D) A thought experiment to ensure impartiality in justice
Correct Answer: D) A thought experiment to ensure impartiality in justice
Rationale: The "veil of ignorance" is a thought experiment designed by John Rawls,
encouraging individuals to consider justice from an impartial standpoint, without
knowing their own social status or personal circumstances, to promote fairness in
societal rules.
Question 8:
Which term describes the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities
based on race?
A) Economic disparity
B) Gender bias
C) Classism
D) Racism
Correct Answer: D) Racism
Rationale: Racism refers to the systemic discrimination and unequal treatment of
individuals based on their race, leading to disparities in access to resources and
opportunities in society.
Question 9:
What is the main goal of affirmative action policies?
A) To promote equal opportunity
B) To maintain the status quo
C) To punish historical injustices
D) To enhance representation of marginalized groups
, Correct Answer: D) To enhance representation of marginalized groups
Rationale: Affirmative action policies aim to improve the representation and
opportunities for historically marginalized groups in education and employment,
addressing systemic inequalities and promoting diversity.
Question 10:
Which concept refers to the right of individuals to participate in decision-making
processes that affect their lives?
A) Social contract
B) Autonomy
C) Participatory justice
D) Legal rights
Correct Answer: C) Participatory justice
Rationale: Participatory justice emphasizes the importance of including individuals in
decision-making processes that impact their lives, ensuring that their voices and
perspectives are heard in matters of social justice.
Question 11:
What does the term "gentrification" refer to in social justice discussions?
A) Urban decay
B) Community empowerment
C) Displacement of low-income residents due to rising property values
D) Preservation of historical neighborhoods
Correct Answer: C) Displacement of low-income residents due to rising property
values
Rationale: Gentrification describes the process where urban neighborhoods undergo
transformation due to an influx of wealthier residents, often leading to the displacement
of long-time low-income residents and altering the community dynamics.
Question 12:
What is the primary focus of environmental justice?
A) Economic development
B) Urban planning
C) Fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens
D) Pollution control
aFrica (UniSa) | SJD1501 – Social DimenSion oF
JUStice | november/December 2025 exam StUDy
GUiDe | complete SUmmary noteS, aSSiGnmentS &
exam prep pack
Question 1:
What is the primary focus of social justice?
A) Economic inequality
B) Distribution of resources
C) Political power
D) Environmental sustainability
Correct Answer: B) Distribution of resources
Rationale: Social justice primarily emphasizes the fair distribution of resources and
opportunities within a society. It seeks to address inequalities that arise from systemic
structures and ensures that marginalized groups receive equitable access to necessary
resources.
Question 2:
Which philosopher is most associated with the concept of distributive justice?
A) John Rawls
B) Karl Marx
C) Friedrich Hayek
D) Aristotle
Correct Answer: D) Aristotle
Rationale: Aristotle is often credited with laying the groundwork for the concept of
distributive justice. He argued that justice involves giving individuals their due based on
merit and their contributions to society, which has influenced later theories of justice.
Question 3:
Which of the following is a key principle of restorative justice?
A) Repairing harm caused by criminal behavior
B) Punishment of offenders
C) Deterrence of future crimes
D) Isolation of offenders
,Correct Answer: A) Repairing harm caused by criminal behavior
Rationale: Restorative justice focuses on repairing the harm caused by criminal
behavior through inclusive processes that engage all stakeholders, including victims,
offenders, and the community. This approach contrasts with traditional punitive justice
systems that prioritize punishment.
Question 4:
What role does intersectionality play in understanding social justice?
A) It simplifies social justice issues.
B) It focuses on a single aspect of identity.
C) It ignores systemic inequalities.
D) It highlights how overlapping identities affect experiences of oppression.
Correct Answer: D) It highlights how overlapping identities affect experiences of
oppression.
Rationale: Intersectionality is a framework that examines how various social identities
(such as race, gender, class, and sexuality) intersect to create unique experiences of
oppression and privilege. Understanding intersectionality is crucial for addressing the
complexities of social justice issues effectively.
Question 5:
In the context of social justice, what does the term "equity" refer to?
A) Everyone receiving the same resources
B) Equal treatment for all
C) Fairness in access to opportunities and resources
D) Tailoring resources to individual needs
Correct Answer: D) Tailoring resources to individual needs
Rationale: Equity in social justice involves recognizing that individuals have different
needs and circumstances. It advocates for distributing resources in a manner that
accounts for these disparities, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed
based on their unique situations.
Question 6:
Which of the following best describes social justice activism?
A) Advocacy for systemic change to address inequalities
B) Promoting individual success at any cost
C) Focusing solely on legal reforms
D) Supporting the status quo
,Correct Answer: A) Advocacy for systemic change to address inequalities
Rationale: Social justice activism is fundamentally about advocating for systemic
changes that address underlying inequalities and injustices within society, rather than
merely seeking individual or legal remedies.
Question 7:
What is the "veil of ignorance" concept proposed by John Rawls?
A) Ignoring social justice issues
B) A method for determining fairness without bias
C) A strategy for enforcing laws
D) A thought experiment to ensure impartiality in justice
Correct Answer: D) A thought experiment to ensure impartiality in justice
Rationale: The "veil of ignorance" is a thought experiment designed by John Rawls,
encouraging individuals to consider justice from an impartial standpoint, without
knowing their own social status or personal circumstances, to promote fairness in
societal rules.
Question 8:
Which term describes the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities
based on race?
A) Economic disparity
B) Gender bias
C) Classism
D) Racism
Correct Answer: D) Racism
Rationale: Racism refers to the systemic discrimination and unequal treatment of
individuals based on their race, leading to disparities in access to resources and
opportunities in society.
Question 9:
What is the main goal of affirmative action policies?
A) To promote equal opportunity
B) To maintain the status quo
C) To punish historical injustices
D) To enhance representation of marginalized groups
, Correct Answer: D) To enhance representation of marginalized groups
Rationale: Affirmative action policies aim to improve the representation and
opportunities for historically marginalized groups in education and employment,
addressing systemic inequalities and promoting diversity.
Question 10:
Which concept refers to the right of individuals to participate in decision-making
processes that affect their lives?
A) Social contract
B) Autonomy
C) Participatory justice
D) Legal rights
Correct Answer: C) Participatory justice
Rationale: Participatory justice emphasizes the importance of including individuals in
decision-making processes that impact their lives, ensuring that their voices and
perspectives are heard in matters of social justice.
Question 11:
What does the term "gentrification" refer to in social justice discussions?
A) Urban decay
B) Community empowerment
C) Displacement of low-income residents due to rising property values
D) Preservation of historical neighborhoods
Correct Answer: C) Displacement of low-income residents due to rising property
values
Rationale: Gentrification describes the process where urban neighborhoods undergo
transformation due to an influx of wealthier residents, often leading to the displacement
of long-time low-income residents and altering the community dynamics.
Question 12:
What is the primary focus of environmental justice?
A) Economic development
B) Urban planning
C) Fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens
D) Pollution control
