Minor in Social Justice in the U.S.

What is Social Justice?

Social justice refers to fair and equal institutions, laws, practices, and social relationships.  It allows all of us to participate fully in and contribute to our communities and to realize our full potential as members of society and human beings.  Issues of social justice affect educational and employment access and outcomes, health and welfare, everyday living and the general well being of our society. This minor invites you to investigate and reflect on the history and current state of social justice, on social relations as affected by race and ethnicity, economic class, gender, sexuality, religion, ability, and other forms of diversity. This minor also supports and encourages the study of activism and advocacy for social justice.  It will help you to recognize and address persistent inequalities that are detrimental to the overall quality of life of this increasingly diverse US society of the 21st century, and thus gives you the potential to contribute directly to the realization of social justice. 

Who will benefit from the Social Justice Minor?

This minor will complement undergraduate majors in the professional schools and all divisions of the College, from the traditional disciplines such as history, sociology and geography to interdisciplinary majors such as human biology, African and African American studies, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Education, and Social Work—to name just a few.

The minor will bring a depth to your profile for a wide range of specialized private and public sector positions, whether you proceed directly into the workforce upon graduation or pursue advanced degrees leading to careers in government, education, business, public service, law, medicine, or emerging areas of research.  Regardless of the area you choose, you will be served well by the Social Justice Minor.

What skills and knowledge will I gain?

You will:

Develop the analytical and communication skills so that you are able to offer informed and practical contributions to your workplace policies and practices.

Develop the intellectual foundation to contribute to and thus to help build a more just and fair society.

Understand how inequality works as a persistent part of our society rather than merely as a matter of prejudice and misunderstanding.

Be a better informed member of society and participant in both your work and living communities.

Better understand and be able to explain structural inequities and injustices related to race/ethnicity, gender and sexuality, economic class, institutional barriers, and other aspects of diversity in the U.S. and transnationally. 

Understand ways various groups of activists and organizers have worked to democratize society more fully and realize the meanings of citizenship and freedom.

Apply your knowledge to real life issues of social justice and fairness.