Minor in social justice to focus on equality, inequality

A new minor in social justice, beginning fall semester, will study issues of equality and inequality in society.

The minor will be offered in the gender and women’s studies program, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“UIC students have long been at the forefront of critical social justice movements in Chicago and beyond,” said Jennifer Brier, associate professor and director of gender and women’s studies.

“We hope that this interdisciplinary minor will provide all students, no matter their major or college, with a critical understanding of justice and equality as well as inequality and marginality, and the struggles to redress them.”

Students in the minor, which requires a total of 16 credit hours, will learn about historical and contemporary strategies for social change, work with social organizations and study the connections between local and global movements.

The minor includes two new social justice courses, a capstone community-based learning experience with a partner organization and six elective credit hours.

The first of three required courses will be taught by Barbara Ransby, director of the Social Justice Initiative and professor of African American studies, gender and women’s studies and history. Students will explore personal narratives, memoirs and biographies of people engaged in social and political change.

More more information, email Natalie Bennett, ndab1@uic.edu