Harper College
Social Justice Studies Distinction

Capstone Project

Ada at TricksterAda V. stands outside the Schaumburg Trickster Cultural Center, where she completed the service learning component of her capstone project.

The Social Justice Studies (SJS) Capstone Project is your opportunity to reflect on, apply, and demonstrate what you have learned in SJS coursework. Your project should be aligned with your personal, professional, and academic interests and should utilize specific ideas, theories, methods, and narratives that you have learned towards addressing a specific social justice issue. Capstone projects are a unique opportunity to enhance your transfer and/or job applications and for focusing your future academic and professional goals. Completing a capstone project is required to earn the Social Justice Studies Distinction.

All students who are planning to complete an SJS Capstone Project must complete the following requirements:

  • Meet with the SJS Coordinator to declare your intention to complete a capstone project. The coordinator will assist you with enrolling in the capstone course (see below) and help to match you with a faculty mentor suited to your interests and goals. To schedule a meeting email the SJS Coordinator at the following address: socialjustice@harpercollege.edu .
  • Enroll in CAP201: The Social Transformation Capstone. In CAP201 you will complete: (1) an e-portfolio reflecting on your social justice studies coursework; (2) a case study utilizing concepts and themes from your portfolio; and (3) a capstone project applying knowledge and skills gained throughout your experience toward addressing an existing social justice issue. (Students have the option to enroll in the 2 credit section or the 3 credit section; the latter option includes a service learning component.)

Completed Capstone Projects

Student: Ada V.
Mentors: Ranjani Murali, Michael Bentley
Service Learning: Schaumburg Trickster Cultural Center
Description: exploring the history of the forced assimilation and cultural alienation of North American indigenous communities, and the contemporary strategies that aim to counter cultural injustice through culture-specific rituals, education, and community support.

Student: Kausar M.
Mentor: Maham Khan
Description: highligting the challenges of Muslim Americans in accessing culturally-informed mental health care.

Student: Jessica U.
Mentor: Judi Nitsch
Description: constructing a user-friendly, informative, and inspirational “Activist Toolkit” that beginners can use in their early efforts to increase voter turnout in their communities. 

Student: Bianca D.S.
Mentor: Ranajani Murali
Service Learning: Journey's/The Road Home
Description: analyzing the role that popular media and culture have played in stigmatizing and ostracizing people affected by poverty and how this ideology plays a crucial role in continuing the cycle of poverty.

Student: Tori M.
Mentor: Natasha Pilipuf-Ruiz
Service Learning: Poplar Creek Prairie Center
Description: exploring the role that ecofeminism plays in addressing structures of injustice that further division, hierarchy, and domination, particularly towards woman and nature, and highligting ecofeminist strategies for shifting perspectives and redefining what it means to connect to nature.

Last Updated: 11/20/24