Beginning this semester Georgetown’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology has added a new concentration, Social Justice Analysis, to its curriculum options.
The SJA concentration is an optional track through the Sociology major or minor, and is based on the theories and analysis of structural social inequalities. It will primarily focus on such discrepancies and will involve the pedagogy of community-based learning, giving students the opportunity to work with local agencies and community groups for semester or year-long projects.
This concentration is designed to allow students to combine classroom learning with practical skills application, specifically by providing real-world experience through community-based and international internships.
“Through providing direct services and educational work in the D.C. community the students will be able to apply theories learned in the classroom and get a real perspective of the inequalities that exist,” Sociology department chair Sam arullo said.
The creation of the SJA curriculum is designed to reflect the faculty’s main mission of social justice through working with community-based and other service-oriented programs.
The sociology department’s mission, “Scholarship, teaching and service to foster imaginations that envision a more just society,” influenced faculty to create specific hands-on learning experiences for SJA.
In addition to providing community-based learning partnerships in the local D.C. community, the curriculum also intends to establish an international connection by teaming-up with international development agencies and nonprofits that expand their work beyond Washington, D.C.
So far there has been much enthusiasm and positive response from students interested in the new concentration option.
“Currently there are a handful of senior students that will be graduating with this concentration in their sociology major. These students are very excited about the specific social justice classes they will be taking, and are ready for the opportunity to apply their skills in the real world,” Marullo said.
These students officially began their SJA concentration in the spring semester, with an introductory course, Social Justice Analysis: Theory and Practice, in which students are introduced to the sociological study of justice issues, and are provided with an overview of different strategies of justice practice.
The Project D.C. course serves as the core experience for SJA students, enabling them to integrate theory and research and apply them to a social issue – at the local, national or international level – while working in collaboration with a nonprofit or community-based organization for both semesters in their senior year.
The Social Justice Practicum course allows students to undertake a community-based learning course while studying abroad, working with community-based organizations in the host country.
Marullo said the faculty and staff in the department are excited about SJA’s potential and the impact that the curriculum will have on its students.
“This curriculum will provide powerful opportunities for students to work side-by-side the people who are fighting the good fight in the social justice arena,” Marullo said. “These experiences will have a profound impact on the way students shape their future careers and personal goals.”