Social Justice

The Social Justice A.A. with Emphasis is designed for students who want to build knowledge and skills to make a difference in the lives of people who have been marginalized by our society.

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Social Justice

Department Contact

Stephanie Gandy

stephanie.gandy@inverhills.edu
651-450-3794

Admissions Team

admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3000
College Center

The A.A. with Emphasis in Social Justice prepares students to articulate conceptions of social justice across multiple perspectives, understand forms of oppression, and develop skills and knowledge to become effective social change agents.

The A.A. with Emphasis prepares students for transfer to a four-year degree to pursue a wide variety of majors, including:

Anthropology
Communication studies
Gender and women’s studies
Ethnic studies
Social justice
Public policy

Political science
Sociology
Criminal justice
Pre-law
And much more!

Degrees

Coursework Program Planning Guide

Required Social Justice Curriculum - 15-16 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
*Introduction to Social Justice - 3 credits*
SJS 1100	Intro to U.S. Politics (Goal 5, 9)
*Social Justice in Action - 3 credits*
SJS 1200	Social Justice in Action: Methods, Skills, and Practice (Goal 7, 9)
*Social Justice Communication Skills (choose one) - 3 credits*
COMM 1110	Public Speaking (Goal 1c, 2)
COMM 2240	Intercultural Communication (Goal 5, 8)
*Social Justice Breadth Courses (choose two) - 6-7 credits*
ANTH 1160	Migrants and Refugees (Goal 5, 8)
ENG 1180	World Literature (Goal 6b, 8)
GWS 1100	Gender Race and American Culture (Goal 5, 7
HUM 1115	Holocaust and Genocide in Film (Goal 6b, 8)
HUM 1140	Latin American Culture and Civilization (Goal 6b, 8)
MUSC 1160	Music and Protest (Goal 6b)
PHIL 1112	Ethics (Goal 6b, 9)
POLS 1121	State and Local Government (Goal 5, 9)
POLS 1131	World Politics (Goal 5, 8
SOC 1127	Social Inequalities: Race, Class, and Gender (Goal 5, 7)
Total Credits:		15-16

General Electives - 18 credits

Electives may be courses numbered 1000 level or higher from any discipline. Additional Social Justice Breadth Courses for the emphasis are recommended. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CJS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENGR, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE.

Health/Physical Education - 2 credits

For a list of the requirements and courses, go to: inverhills.edu/MnTC

Course Number	Title	Credits
Health		1 cr
Physical Education		1 cr
Total Credits:		2

General Education Requirements – 24-25 credits

The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) requires a minimum of 40 credits, some of which will be satisfied by the required Social Justice curriculum. You must complete the MnTC courses that are specifically designated below. You may choose the other courses from each goal area from the list located at: inverhills.edu/MnTC.

To streamline your degree, you are encouraged to choose MnTC Goal 1-6 courses that also meet MnTC Goal areas 7-10.

Goal	Description	Courses
Goal 1	Communication ENGL 1108 Writing & Research Skills ENG 1111, 1114 OR 1130 Goal 1c course (COMM 1110 recommended)	3 courses
Goal 2	Critical Thinking Satisfied by First Year Experience course or MnTC Completion
Goal 3	Natural Science (1 course must include lab) Goal 3a (Life Science) course Goal 3b (Physical Sciences) course	2 courses
Goal 4	Mathematical/Logical Reasoning Goal 4 course (MATH 1101, MATH 1103 or PHIL 1115 recommended)	1 course
Goal 5	History/Social Sciences/Behavioral Sciences Take three courses from two departments. Three Social Justice breadth courses recommended. ANTH 1150 Migrants and Refugee COMM 2240 Intercultural Communication GWS 1100 Gender Race and American Culture POLS 1121 State and Local Governmen POLS 1131 World Politics SOC 1127 Social Inequalities: Race, Class, and Gender	3 courses
Goal 6	Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature Goal 6a (Fine Arts) course Goal 6b (Humanities/Literature) course Any additional Goal 6 course Two of the Goal 6b Social Justice breadth courses recommended: ENG 1180 World Literature HUM 1115 Holocaust and Genocide in Film HUM 1140 Latin American Culture and Civilization MUSC 1160 Music and Protest PHIL 1112 Ethics	3 courses
Goal 7	Human Diversity Goal 7 course - satisfied by required curriculum
Goal 8	Global Perspective Take one course. One of the following breadth courses recommended: ANTH 1150 Migrants and Refugees COMM 2240 Intercultural Communication ENG 1180 World Literature HUM 1115 Holocaust and Genocide in Film HUM 1140 Latin American Culture and Civilization	1 course
Goal 9	Ethical and Civic Responsibility Goal 9 course - satisfied by required curriculum
Goal 10	People and the Environment Goal 10 course	1 course
Total Credits:		24-25

Full-Time Recommended Course Of Study

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area course choices, please visit: inverhills.edu/MnTC.

Semester 1 - 15 - 16 Credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
First Year Experience Course (Goal 2)		1-2 cr
SJS 1100	Introduction to Social Justice	3 cr
Social Justice breadth course		3 cr
ENG 1108	Writing & Research Skills (Goal 1a, 2)	4 cr
COMM 1110 OR COMM 2240	Public Speaking (Goal 1, 2) OR Intercultural Communication (Goal 5, 8)	3 cr
Total Credits:		14-15

Semester 2 - 15-16 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
SJS 1200	Social Justice in Action (Goal 7, 9)	3 cr
Social Justice breadth course		3 cr
ENG 1111, 1114 OR 1130 (Goal 1b)		2-3 cr
MnTC Goal 4 elective	MATH 1101, 1103 or PHIL 1115 recommended	3-4 cr
MnTC Goal 6a/8 elective		3 cr
Total Credits:		15-16

Semester 3 - 15 Credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Social Justice breadth course OR general elective¹		3 cr
MnTC Goal 3a elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 1c, 5 OR general elective¹		3 cr
MnTC Goal 5, 6b OR general elective¹		3 cr
General elective¹		2-4 cr
Total Credits:		15

Semester 4 - 14-16 Credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Social Justice breadth course OR general elective¹		3 cr
MnTC Goal 3b/10 elective		4 cr
MnTC Goal 5, 6b OR general elective¹		3 cr
Health and Physical Education		2 cr
General elective¹		2-4 cr
Total Credits:		14-16

¹Electives may be 1000 level courses from any discipline, including additional MnTC Courses. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CJS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENG, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE

Part-Time Recommended Course Of Study

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. For a complete list of Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) Goal Area course choices, please visit: inverhills.edu/MnTC.

Semester 1 - 9-10 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
First Year Experience Course (Goal 2)		1-2 cr
SJS 1100	Introduction to Social Justice	3 cr
ENG 1108 Writing & Research Skills (Goal 1a, 2)		4 cr
Total Credits:		8-9

Semester 2 - 9 Credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Social Justice breadth course		3 cr
ENG 1111, 1114 OR 1130 (Goal 1b)		2-3 cr
MnTC Goal 3a elective		3-4 cr
Total Credits:		9

Semester 3 - 9-10 Credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
COMM 1110 OR COMM 2240	Public Speaking (Goal 1, 2) OR Intercultural Communication (Goal 5, 8)	3 cr
Social Justice breadth course		3 cr
MnTC Goal 4 elective	MATH 1101 or PHIL 1115 recommended	3-4 cr
Total Credits:		9-10

Semester 4 - 9 Credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
SJS 1200	Social Justice in Action (Goal 7, 9)	3 cr
MnTC Goal 6a/8 elective		3 cr
Social Justice breadth course OR general elective¹		3 cr
Total Credits:		9

Semester 5 - 10 Credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
MnTC Goal 1c, 5 OR general elective¹		3 cr
MnTC Goal 5, 6b OR general elective¹		3 cr
MnTC Goal 3b/10 elective		4 cr
Total Credits:		10

Semester 6 - 9 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
Social Justice breadth course or general elective¹ elective		3 cr
MnTC Goal 5, 6b OR general elective¹		3 cr
Health and Physical Education		2
Total Credits:		9

Semester 7 - 4-6 credits

Course Number	Title	Credits
General elective¹		4-6 cr
Total Credits:		4-6

¹Electives may be 1000 level courses from any discipline, including additional MnTC Courses. Examples of non-MnTC courses that may be taken include the following disciplines: ACCT, BUS, CJS, CS, CRDV, EDU, EMS, ENG, HLTH, HSER, ITC, PA and PE.

Social Justice Certificate

The Social Justice Certificate prepares students to articulate conceptions of social justice across multiple perspectives, understand forms of oppression, and develop skills and knowledge to become effective social change agents. This certificate may complement work experience, a previous college degree, or build a foundation for the A.A. or A.A. with Emphasis in Social Justice.

Social Justice Curriculum - 15-16 Credits

Coursework Program Planning Guide

Course Number	Title	Credits
*Social Justice Theory and Action - 6 credits*
SJS 1100	Introduction to Social Justice	3 cr
SJS 1200	Social Justice in Action: Methods, Skills, and Practice	3 cr
*Social Justice Communication Skills (choose one) - 3 credits*
COMM 1110	Public Speaking	3 cr
COMM 2240	Intercultural Communication	3 cr
*Social Justice Breadth Courses (choose two) - 6-7 credits*
ANTH 1160	Migrants and Refugees	3 cr
ENG 1180	World Literature	4 cr
GWS 1100	Gender Race and American Culture	3 cr
HUM 1115	Holocaust and Genocide in Film	3 cr
HUM 1140	Latin American Culture and Civilization	3 cr
MUSC 1160	Music and Protest	3 cr
PHIL 1112	Ethics	3 cr
POLS 1121	State and Local Government	3 cr
POLS 1131	World Politics	3 cr
SOC 1127	Social Inequalities: Race, Class, and Gender	3 cr
Total Credits:		15-16

Course Descriptions

SJS 1100 Introduction to Social Justice 3.0 cr

Course Outline for SJS 1100

Explores the concepts of justice, oppression, and social change and examines the ways in which political, economic, legal, education, and other institutions create challenges for justice. In this course, students will explore, critique, and apply the fundamental concepts of justice, oppression and social change. Through course activities, students will begin integrating ideas and perspectives, formulating personal ideologies, and developing an enhanced sense of civic responsibility. They will also examine the broad concept of social change through explorations of different social movements, profiles of human rights activists, and various policies. The course seeks to broaden student understanding of contemporary justice issues and to enhance their knowledge of how they can become positive social change agents.

SJS 1200 Social Justice in Action: Methods, Skills, and Practice 3.0 cr

Course Outline for SJS 1200

This course explores and applies theories and methods of social justice to combat oppression and promote positive social change. Students broaden their understanding of contemporary social justice issues through opportunities to develop, practice, and apply skills learned in the classroom to community-based learning environments in the greater Twin Cities region. Through case studies, skill development, and class activities, students begin honing their skills in public speaking, networking, teamwork, identifying problems and solutions, perspective taking, persuasive writing, advocacy, conflict resolution, and ethical decision making.

Transfer Information

TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

Students completing an A.A. degree with emphasis in Social Justice who plan to transfer to a four-year university to complete a B.A. degree may benefit from a transfer agreement with one of the following:

College of St Scholastica: Peace and Justice Studies - BA
Metropolitan State University: Social Science – BA

Meet the Faculty

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Clubs & Organizations

Anthropology Club

Purpose: To explore the vast field of anthropology and garner student interest.

To learn more, contact:
Katie Nelson
Anthropology Instructor & Club Faculty Advisor
651-450-3492

Asian Club

Purpose: To promote and preserve Asian cultures and to provide recreational opportunities for AC and the surrounding community. The purpose of this organization is to provide students with an exposure to Asian culture and language, and to explore Asian customs, art and history.

To learn more, contact:
Chong Moua
651-450-3762

Black Student Union

Purpose: To promote awareness of diversity on the campus and to the community. To allow students an opportunity to explore other educational aspects of diversity.

To learn more, contact:
Grace Jones
651-450-3530

Catima Wilson
651-450-3742

BSOL–Criminal Justice Club

Purpose: To provide criminal justice forums, job fairs, community service, and awareness of criminal justice careers and academic programs, including raising awareness of the IHCC program.

To learn more, contact:
Leslie Palmer
651-450-3619

LGBT+ Club

Purpose: To foster an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance of diversity in sexual orientation, to combat homophobia, discrimination, and harassment in order to create a place of support, respect, pride, and safety for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) members and their supporters.

To learn more, contact:
Rachael Youngren
LGBT+ Club Advisor
651-450-3913

Amy Zsohar
LGBT+ Club Faculty Advisor
651-450-3659

Muslim Student Association

Purpose: The mission of the Muslim Student Club is to educate the Inver Hills community about the religion of Islam and its culture.

To learn more, contact:
Hamid Kazeroony
651-450-3474

UNIDOS Latinx-Chicano-Hispanohablantes

Purpose: UNIDOS Latinx-Chicano-Hispanohablantes Club main purpose is to create conversation, celebration and a safe space for various ethnic groups at Inver Hills Community College. This awareness is cultivated through peer support, cultural activities, social justice initiatives and community outreach projects to build positive change within our own communities.

To learn more, contact:
Gabriela Andersen-Marín
651-450-3481

Communication Studies

Professional Organizations

American Communication Association (ACA)
Association for Business Communication (ABC)
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC)
Association for Women in Communications (AWC)
Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP)
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
League of American Communications Professionals (LACP)
National Communication Association (NCA)
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
Toastmasters International (TI)

Humanities

Professional Organizations

American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS)
American Society for Bioethics + Humanities (ASBH)
Community College Humanities Association (CCHA)
National Humanities Alliance (NHA)
The Association for Computers and the Humanities (ACH)

Political Science

Phi Theta Kappa and IHCC Student Senate

Sociology

Professional organizations

Employment Information

Social Justice majors can pursue a vast range of occupational options across several professional fields.

Why Inver Hills?

Completing your social justice A.A. degree obligations at Inver Hills is smart on several key levels:

Transfer to a four-year school as a junior with the option to pursue a variety of majors
Develop skills and knowledge to become an effective agent of social change
Learn to articulate social justice conceptions across multiple perspectives
Recognize and comprehend different forms of oppression
Receive an excellent education with one-on-one interactions with faculty trained in a wide range of disciplines
Save money and continue your academic and professional careers with less student debt^*

* In the first quarter of 2021, student loan balances in the United States increased by $29 billion to $1.73 trillion. Around 43.2 million Americans owe an average of $39,351 each in student loan debt.

According to the nonprofit Student Borrower Protection Center, there are 775,300 student-loan borrowers in Minnesota with a collective $29.1 billion in student-loan debt, for an average student-loan debt load of about $37,500 per borrower.

Tuition and fees for one year at Inver Hills costs just under $5,600. Compare that to $15,000 to $20,000 at a for-profit college, or $40,000 to $50,000 at a private college or university. You can complete your first two years at Inver getting a topflight education firsthand from Ph.D. instructors and then transfer to a four-year as a junior all while saving thousands of dollars. It's a no-brainer.