SJP - Social Justice Program

A team-taught course introducing: 1) the biblical and scholastic roots of Catholic social teaching; 2) Catholic incarnational, sacramental and analogical reasoning; and 3) general social justice theory, with emphasis on current opportunities for furthering the common good within existing social, political and economic systems.

This course traces the development of prophecy and the prophetic tradition in biblical and contemporary times. Selected prophetic texts focus on the character, personality, and mission of various prophets. Other topics include prophetic imagination, creativity, religious experience, justice, compassion, hope and the portrayal of God. Central to the course is the prophets' transformative vision for all times.

This course will survey the major aspects of Plains Indians culture and history from the earliest archaeological evidence to the present day. Special emphasis will be given to traditional Plains Indian cultures and the interaction between Plains Indians and the U.S. culture and government in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

The course looks at contemporary Mexican Culture and society through the study of fictional works by Mexican authors. A variety of literary genres will be read, analyzed and discussed. Themes include: race, gender and ethnicity in the construction of identity; cultural variations among Mexicans; rural and urban views of the nation.

Study of the causes and effects of the Cold War in American domestic and foreign affairs. Emphasis will be placed on social, cultural, economic, and political movements within the United States, as well as America's role in world events after World War II.

Examines the relationship between schools and society and analyzes the historical traditions, philosophical perspectives, and social practices that shape American education. The course is designed to help students understand how schools and individuals interact and to help students value the diversity of the communities in which they work. Field experience required.

This course examines the history of American women from 1890 to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on the diversity of this group called "women" particularly by race and class, the construction of American gender ideologies, and women's participation in social reform movements of the twentieth century.

This course traces the history and development of American movements for social justice in the twentieth century.  Examining race, gender, and class-based social inequalities, the course highlights individuals and organizations that have worked to correct social injustice throughout the past century.  The course emphasizes cultural forms of protest (literature and art) in addition to social and political reform.

This course explores African American history from Reconstruction through the present. Highlighting important African American intellectuals and other leaders, the course explores the changing nature of race in America as well as the history of Civil Rights.

This course considers issues of human diversity focusing on cultural pluralism and race and ethnic relations. Students will explore concepts of privilege, oppression, prejudice, and discrimination in the context of U.S. communities and human service professions and learn strategies for dismantling oppression and promoting socially just practices. Other dimensions of diversity (e.g., gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability) are explored.

Examination of inequality in the distribution of wealth, power, and prestige. Focus will be on stratification within societies and on the nature, extent, and significance of inequality of wealth and power between societies.

A study of the public policy process in the United States. This course analyzes the nature of public policy making, the process of agenda setting, and the dynamics of policy creation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation. Special emphasis is given to domestic issues and policies to illustrate the working of the policy process.

This course examines race and ethnic relations from a sociological perspective, with particular emphasis on social institutions such as employment, education, and criminal justice. Students will apply sociological theories and concepts to understand the contours of intergroup relations, contemporary issues, and the socio-political processes of social change in American society.

A broad study of the European continent from 1900 to the revolutions of 1989 and their aftermath, emphasizing the political, social, and cultural significance of the century's major events.

Study of the varying political forms of German life over the past two centuries with emphasis on the war and the Nazi dictatorship.

This course will consider how environmental problems arise, looking at how a progression of natural and human circumstances becomes an "environmental problem." It will survey the law, politics, and institutions that manage pollution. The course will also look closely at a handful of environmental policy issues particularly in the Columbia River, and the interplay of science, risk, and uncertainty.

Course examines the different approaches to economic and political cooperation and integration, including some select institutional examples of global interdependence, such as the European Community, the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Roman Catholic Church, and Amnesty International.

Introduces the student to the systematic study of world peace, beginning with the causes of war and war's effect on communities and the environment. Negative peace: diplomacy, negotiations and conflict resolution, disarmament and international law; positive peace: human rights, nonviolence, international organizations, and the role of the individual will be considered.

This course will examine the exploitation of natural resources in modern global society, from the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution to the modern day. Special emphasis is placed on the intersection of technology, culture, and the environment in modern life.

This course will examine the role disease, technology, environment and culture have played in human history from ancient times to the 20th century. Areas of particular focus will include major epidemics, the rise of the germ theory, and the intersection between economic development and human health.

Approaches the study of Latin America with a general introduction to its historical background and political geography. In addition, the general pattern of religion and society, economics and politics will be examined with special attention to pattern of power and politics in modern Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Nicaragua and Chile.

This course is a comparative study of the countries of Asia. Students focus on issues of politics, culture, and economics from a national and regional perspective. Cases include India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, and the Asian Pacific countries of China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

This course explores the impacts of colonialism, role of governance, failure of development assistance, and persistence of conflicts on the African continent.  A sub-theme of social justice runs through the course: why is Africa underdeveloped, how should/should not the world respond, how does underdevelopment affect the people living on the continent, and what positive developments have been taking place.

Inquiry into the political foundations of education and how these interface with epistemological, ethical and metaphysical concerns. Concrete issues relating to educational injustices will also be addressed. Students will study both classical and contemporary thinkers, such as Confucius, Lao Tzu, Plato, Rousseau, Jane Addams, John Dewey, Paulo Freire, Bell Hooks and Maria Lugones.

Exploration of barriers to effective communication between members of differing sexes, races, and generations. Consideration of causes of problems and effective strategies for solutions.

The basic philosophical principles of justice and law in the Western legal traditions: morality and law; natural and positive law; Roman law and common law traditions; logic, language, and symbols of law; Marxian concept of law; legal education.

Analysis of some major topics in contemporary socio-political thought, e.g., freedom, social justice and structural violence, equality, the relation between rights and obligations, sovereignty, authority, legitimacy, and consent.

An investigation of the philosophical underpinnings of various feminist theories and their implications for philosophical inquiry from De Beauvoir to Irigaray.

An intensive study of orientations toward managing disputes and of specific processes and techniques currently in use. Course includes consideration of both organizational and interpersonal disputes and also focuses on the role of the mediator.

Examines the determinants of incomes in market economies, including education, training, experience, hours worked, discrimination, inheritance, unions, and government transfers. Studies causes of change in the extent of inequality and social impacts of inequality. Analyzes government policies to reduce inequality, including anti-poverty policies.

The impact of language on human life, especially its importance in creating and sustaining peace or violence. Works of contemporary writers.

Course provides an introduction to the dynamics of intercultural communication. Content includes the importance of understanding one's own culture, the culture similarities and differences in communication, relationships, and the workplace, and the ability to adapt to various cultures.

An inquiry into our obligations to the nonhuman world and the philosophical basis of that obligation.

This course provides students with an introduction to issues surrounding immigration and resistance and seeks to develop understanding of contemporary organizing efforts on behalf of immigrant communities. After several weeks surveying the larger context and recent patterns in contemporary immigration, students will examine the struggles of immigrants and their efforts to organize for social justice around a variety of issues.

This course will engage each student in a service practicum in a local parish or agency, while studying how Catholic thought, culture, and principles of social justice are practiced there.  The course will require a synthesis of readings on social justice and Catholic thought, as well as the practical experience gained.

Dramatic pressures and heightened political risks are causing important shifts in the traditional foreign policies of the nations of Latin America. This course examines the changing global forces affecting regional integration and economic development for Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile and the domestic responses these foreign policy changes.

This course examines the role of professional social work in a achievement of sustainability at the individual, community, regional, national, and global levels. Using a multidisciplinary perspective, the social, environmental, economic, and cultural aspects of sustainability are considered theoretically and practically, with a focus on issues of equity and justice across these dimensions. This course includes community-based, action-oriented learning projects.

This course is about child and youth development as embedded in social and cultural contexts. The particular emphasis will be on early childhood through the transition into adulthood, and on thinking about childhood and youth as social phenomena. The course is reading/discussion intensive and involves a community-based learning project.

This course addresses violence and poverty as influenced by the environment. It enables an assessment of the societal consequences of environmental changes and their effects as well as of personal values related to implications for equity and social justice. Strategies for social change, social equity, and social justice are considered.

Major theories which account for aggressive behavior or violence. Emphasis given to personality, social, biological, and environmental determinants of aggression and violence.

An examination of nineteenth-century philosophy focusing upon the work of Hegel. The course traces the roots of Hegelianism in German idealism, the British Economists, and romanticism and its influences on subsequent involvements including Marxism, existentialism, and American pragmatism.

Historically framed survey of representative authors from former British Colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. Introduction to key theorists of postcolonialism from Said to Spivak and discussion of key concepts such as imperialism, racism, hybridity, mimicry, decolonization, neo-colonialism, nationalism(s), and immigration.