The Social Justice certificate (18 credits) offers an interdisciplinary learning experience for students with a passion to make a difference in their communities. Students use an intersectional lens to understand theoretical conceptualizations of social justice, explore the causes and consequences of historical and contemporary systems of injustice, and develop skills for praxis at the interpersonal, community, institutional, and structural levels. Students develop a reflexive awareness of their identities and relationships to power, privilege, oppression, trauma, and healing. Completion of the Social Justice Certificate prepares students to address social and structural inequalities in the career fields of education, social services, research, consulting, and law. The Social Justice certificate consists of two required courses, SOJ 101 Social Justice / Social Change and SOJ 401 Social Justice Capstone , as well as 12 elective credits in other disciplines across the University. At least 3 elective credits must be completed within each of three areas: Theoretical Foundations of Social Justice (Area 1), Patterns of Injustice and Resistance (Area 2), and Analytic Methods and Practical Skills (Area 3).
Area 1: Theoretical Foundations of Social Justice
Courses in this area prepare students to identify, discuss, and evaluate the theoretical foundations of social justice, with an emphasis on critical understandings of systemic power and structural inequality.
Area 2: Patterns of Injustice and Resistance
Courses in this area prepare students to identify and critique patterns of both historical and contemporary marginalization and structural inequality, as well as activism and resistance in response to these forces.
Area 3: Analytic Methods and Practical Skills
Courses in the area prepare students to engage the analytical, practical, and interpersonal skills necessary for creating social change and promoting social justice at several levels. Courses in this area are at the 200 level or above.
