Make A Difference

The Social Justice minor provides interdisciplinary academic classes in which students think critically about social justice and experiential learning activities in which students engage in the work of social justice. The program addresses local, national and international issues of social justice. A core of theory, case studies, and practice is combined with elective courses from across the College of Liberal Arts that address the following areas: histories, cultures and geographies of dominance; experiences of oppression; theories of justice; policies, institutions, and structures that promote or hinder equity; and collective action or processes of change leading to social justice.

Defining Social Justice

"We believe social justice is both a process and a goal. The goal of social justice is full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs.  Social justice includes a vision of society in which the distribution of resources is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically secure...  The process for attaining the goal of social justice, we believe, should also be democratic and participatory, inclusive and affirming of human agency and capacities for working collaboratively to create change.” — Lee Anne Bell

This undergraduate program helps students put theory into action with the completion of an internship and capstone project.  The competencies students gain will help them develop a critical perspective to challenge paradigms and develop tools to become informed change agents.  Courses cover a range of topics including, but not limited to: race, ethnicity, gender, food, sexuality, the environment, global injustice, intersectionality, public ethics, civic engagement, human rights, and social change movements. 

The Social Justice minor is a collaboration of the School of Language, Culture, and Society, the School of History, Philosophy, and Religion, and the School of Public Policy.

Learning Outcomes

Students with a minor in Social Justice will be able to:

  1. Employ theoretical approaches to analyze contemporary issues of social justice
  2. Evaluate a specific organizational approach to working towards social justice
  3. Synthesize theories, concepts, and practice around a well-defined social justice issue