Social Justice

Alexa Dare, Ph.D., communication studies, director

The social justice minor is open to all students from any major or school at the University. This interdisciplinary minor instills in students an intellectual foundation and practical experience to live in ways that promote collective liberation and ensure dignity and self-determination for people and communities.

The program includes courses in its curriculum from disciplines such as business, communication, education, English, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, and theology.

Learning Outcomes for Social Justice Minors

Social justice graduates at the University of Portland should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the theories and concepts of social justice and social justice traditions.
   1. Identify and explain central concepts of social justice, including the Catholic social justice tradition.
   2. Identify and explain historical roots of social justice and injustice.
2. Articulate an understanding of social justice from a variety of perspectives including religious, psychological, sociological, historical, cultural, political, economic, and organizational.
   1. Identify and explain a variety of different disciplines' perspectives on social justice.
   2. Demonstrate an understanding of the social justice implications of issues in various disciplines.
3. Demonstrate leadership.
   1. Set goals for their contribution in a community learning experience.
   2. Reflect on praxis, integrating theory and their practice in a community learning experience.
   3. Reflect on their contribution in a community learning experience in terms of different attributes of leadership.

Capstone Experience

During their junior or senior years, students pursuing the social justice minor will participate in SW 460, Social Justice Capstone. This course requires all participants to engage in a community-based learning experience involving an action project.