Social Justice Studies Distinction

Click here to see our exciting Spring '25 SJS Course Schedule

Social Justice Education @ Harper

Many students, just like you, wish to align their education and career paths with the needs of their communities. If you want to answer the call of service and civic engagement, Harper offers specialized course sections which are built around a social justice theme. The majority of our Social Justice Studies (SJS) courses fulfill general education requirements, allowing you to prioritize transfer goals and degree completion while remaining immersed in the work of imagining, analyzing, and achieving justice.

How to participate

There are three primary ways to engage in the Social Justice experience at Harper:

Social Justice Studies Exploration

This path is ideal for students who want to explore social justice curriculum in only a few subjects or with a specific professor. Every SJS course taken will be noted on your transcript. To pursue this path you will need to:

enroll in one or more specialized Social Justice Studies course sections.

Social Justice Studies Transfer Distinction

This path is ideal for students who want to pursue the SJS Distinction, but who plan to leave Harper before earning an Associate’s degree. While non-graduating students will not earn the full graduate distinction, they will be eligible for a Letter of Recommendation from SJS Faculty and assistance finding social justice oriented transfer programs. To pursue this path you will need to:

complete all 11-12 credit hours of coursework required for the Social Justice Studies Distinction.
complete a Capstone Project Proposal before leaving Harper (see specific requirements here).

Social Justice Studies Graduate Distinction

This path is ideal for students who want the full Social Justice Studies experience. Upon completion of all requirements, SJS Scholars will earn a special Social Justice Studies Distinction on their transcript and diploma and receive special recognition at Commencement. To pursue this path you will need to:

complete all 11-12 credit hours of coursework required for the Social Justice Studies Distinction
complete a Capstone Project while earning your associate’s degree (see specific requirements here).

Student Testimonials

“Through the distinction, you get your eyes opened and you become more aware of your surroundings. It’s almost like waking up again.
I’m proud to be an Indigenous woman, and I want to continue learning more.”

“It’s about becoming empowered to enact change on an in-depth, academically sound level. It’s about learning from cultures, not about cultures, and learning how to use my privilege in productive ways to make a difference.”

“A big part of it has been to change my perspective and look at the world in a deeper way than just surface level and what we have been socialized into; to challenge mainstream beliefs and the downplaying of our actions that keep us trapped as participants in a cycle of injustice. Historical change starts with the self.”

For more information, contact the Social Justice Studies Coordinator:

Michael Bentley
socialjustice@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6271