Program Overview

Undergraduate students from across the university have the opportunity to pursue a minor in social justice that prepares them to address local, national and global inequities. An interdisciplinary and flexible approach allows students majoring in the humanities or in STEM fields to address a wide range of crucial issues. The curriculum emphasizes the history, theory and practice of social justice work. It examines the distribution of power, resources and opportunities, and appropriate individual and collective remedies for social injustice. 

Social Justice Institute

The Social Justice Institute strives to create a just world. We examine the root causes of social injustice and develop innovative solutions by supporting creative research, scholarship, and pedagogy; social justice leaders on and off campus; and relationships within the university and into the community. We work to eradicate all systems of oppression by redistributing and expanding resources and opportunities while exalting human dignity.

We believe in:

• action
• community involvement
• education
• empathetic relationships
• equity
• human dignity
• inclusiveness
• intergenerational collaboration

The Social Justice Institute believes that university communities should be educators and leaders in advancing an inclusive and just society that raises awareness of social injustice; enhances moral courage; promotes critical thinking about power, privilege and equity; and encourages action and equitable solutions. 

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.

Director

Lecturer

Leadership Team CWRU Faculty

Leadership Team Community Advisors

Leadership Team CWRU Staff

Leadership Team Student Representative

Program Requirements

The social justice minor is open to all undergraduate students. The minor requires a total of 15 credit hours, including the required core course SJUS 100.  In addition to the required course, students must take one course from each Focus Area below, plus one additional elective from any Focus Area.  

The courses listed below are accepted toward the minor. Approved electives are added every year.

Focus Area 1: Ethics, Politics and Economics

Are existing arrangements just? To what extent are current thought systems amenable to change? What are the preferred alternatives and how can they be realized?

Focus Area 2: Social Inequality, Power and Privilege

What is a fair distribution of resources? How do cultural practices, social relations, social structures and institutions reproduce, reduce or eliminate inequalities? What are the consequences of social inequality for the health, development and well-being of individuals and communities? How are distributions and uses of power connected to social inequalities?

Focus Area 3: Social Movements and Social Change

What are competing models of social change? What role have social movements played in U.S. and global history? How do social movements form? How have states responded to social movements? What is the relationship between democracy and social movements? How have different technological innovations advanced or impeded social movements? What knowledge and skills are necessary to implement social change?

Social Justice (SJUS)