Harper College
Social Justice Studies Distinction

Courses

The Basics

To earn the Social Justice Studies (SJS) distinction, you must successfully complete at least 3 SJS course sections in addition to the Social Transformation Capstone (CAP201). The SJS course schedule is carefully designed to allow you to complete the distinction alongside your degree. Aside from CAP201, you are welcome to choose any SJS course sections that fit your interests and goals.

What to Expect

Each semester, a cluster of special Social Justice Studies course sections will be offered. These courses are specially designed to engage students in an ongoing dialogue about the meaning of social justice and in an exploration of the most compassionate, equitable, and inclusive practices and strategies for achieving more just societies. The content of these courses provides opportunities for students to explore how their individual identities, cultural backgrounds, and chosen disciplines situate them in relation to systems of power and privilege. Enrollment in these courses will also offer students an opportunity to form meaningful relationships with instructors and fellow students who share their desire to co-create a more just and sustainable future.

All Harper students are encouraged to enroll in Social Justice Studies course sections and to participate in SJS programming at Harper. Social Justice Studies course sections will be designated in the course schedule by an “SJ” course section notation and a specialized title. Example: “ENG101-SJ1: Composition I/Social Justice.”

Summer 2025 SJS Courses

The following course sections will be offered in Summer '25. Courses that also fulfill the World Cultures and Diversity requirement are listed with a "+".

  • Instructor: DuBoi McCarty (dmccarty@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: DIV101-SJW: Diversity in US/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Online Asynchronous (8 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: N/A
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: In this course, the focus is on exploring culture and other diversity issues and topics utilizing an interactive personal development format. Students will examine their intersecting identities while discussing dimensions of their own culture. The culture and historical experiences of social affinity groups related to Ability, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Religion, and Race//Ethnicity in the United States are also explored. Students will also analyze the dynamics of prejudice and discrimination between groups and the impact of social power differences on peoples’ lives. The experiential nature of this course will give students the opportunity to dialogue about diversity and social justice topics and to develop skills necessary to interact effectively in a diverse society. Students will complete a final course assignment addressing a diversity or social justice topic of their choosing with instructor approval.
  • Instructor: Elizabeth Barahona
  • Banner Title: HUM110-SJW: Women & Creativity/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Online Asynchronous (8 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: N/A
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: In this Social Justice Studies section of HUM110: Women and Creativity, students will examine how women's artistic, intellectual, and creative contributions have intersected with social justice movements throughout history. Focusing on historically marginalized voices, particularly women of color, disabled women, queer women, and working-class women, the course will explore how creativity has been used as a form of resistance against systems of oppression such as patriarchy, colonialism, and racism. Through analyzing texts, visual art, and performances from diverse cultural contexts, students will investigate how these creators have challenged dominant narratives and advocated for change. The course will culminate in a final project where students will develop a creative work or analysis inspired by the themes of gender, identity, and justice, encouraging them to see art as a powerful tool for social transformation. be13929@harpercollege.edu
  • Instructor: Alina Pajtek
  • Banner Title: LNG205: Language & Culture/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Online Asynchronous (8 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: N/A
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: In this course, we will explore the relationship between language, culture, and society through a cultural relativist lens and an interdisciplinary perspective. We will draw on theoretical and empirical work in our in-class analyses and discussions on the relationship between language and thought, intercultural communication, regional and social variations of English, bilingualism and multiculturalism, and language loss. We will also delve into the linguistic construction of ideologies and socioeconomic class, and we will discuss language use to understand how language promotes and reflects gender stereotypes and inequities. This course will give you the opportunity to learn about other languages and cultures in an engaging class format. apajtek@harpercollege.edu
  • Instructor: Monica Edwards (medwards@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: SOC101-SJW: Sociology/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Online Asynchronous (8 Weeks)
  • Meeting Time: N/A
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: In our time together, we will engage in analysis of the structure and dynamics of human society.  We will explore theoretical and empirical work to observe and analyze social norms, groups, intergroup relations, social change, social stratification, and institutions.  This course will dive into questions of social organization, social change, and social justice through an exploration of the intersection of food systems and systemic racism; we will do so with a focus on outcomes related to the climate crisis and Covid pandemic.  Emerging from sociological analyses of our complex interdependence is a push for compassion and solidarity; as such, the policies of the class will reflect this larger sociological--and feminist--ethos of care.

Fall 2025 SJS Courses

The following course sections are being offered in Fall '25. Courses that also fulfill the World Cultures and Diversity and Global Scholars Distinction course requirements are listed with a "+".

First Year Seminar & Capstone

The Social Transformation Seminar (FYS) is an opportunity for incoming Harper students to explore the role that college education plays in the process of social transformation and an introduction to faculty, curriculum, and alumni associated with our social transformation distinctions (Social Justice Studies, Global Scholars, and Sustainability Studies). Credits earned in this Social Transformation FYS count towards the credit requirements for each of the above-listed distinctions.

The Social Transformation Capstone (CAP201) must be successfully completed in order to earn the SJS Graduate Distinction. You are eligible to enroll in CAP201 once you have completed at least two other Social Justice Studies (SJS) course sections (see below).

  • Instructor: LaVonya Williams (lwilliam@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: FYS-__: First Year Seminar/Social Transformation
  • Modality (PoT): Face-to-Face (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Tuesday/Thursday 11am-12:15pm
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: TBD.
     
  • Instructor: Eric Bohman (ebohman@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: CAP201-001: Social Transformation Capstone (2 Credit) or CAP201-002: Social Transformation Capstone (3 credit)
  • Modality (PoT): Blended/Flex (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Wednesday 4:45pm-5:45pm
  • Credits: 2 (no service/experiential learning component) or  3 (includes service/experiential learning component)
  • Theme: Focuses on developing project design and management skills for the purposes of analyzing global movements and/or addressing social justice problems and solutions. Special emphasis will be given to interdisciplinary questions, methods, and applications related to information literacy, intercultural communication and collaboration, critical thinking, and civic engagement. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their personal, professional and academic journeys with the goal of applying acquired knowledge toward fostering justice-oriented social transformation.
     
    Prerequisites: students must complete at least two SJS course sections to enroll in the capstone course. For special exceptions, contact instructor.
     
    [Students must complete CAP201 to earn the SJS Distinction.] 
    [CAP201 will also be offered every Fall and Spring semester.]

Communications

  • Instructor: Judi Nitsch (mnitsch@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: ENG101-SJW: Composition/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Online Asynchronous (First 8 Weeks)
  • Meeting Time: n/a
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: Welcome! In this course, we will explore social justice in the context of our cultural identities. Specifically, students choose one of their cultural identities as a lens and then consider what (in)justice looks like in their culture, what problems impede justice in their culture, and what solutions could remove those impediments from their culture. I enact socially-just policies in my course, so know that you will be given lots of support and opportunity to grapple with these difficult and exciting topics.
     
    [English 101 will be every Fall. ENG102 will be offered every Spring.]
  • Instructor: Ashley Palmer (pa07949@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: ENG101-5SJ: Composition I/Soc Justice & ENG095-5SJ: English Comp Sup/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Face-to-Face (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Tuesday/Thursday 12:30pm-1:45pm
  • Credits: 3+1
  • Theme: The theme of this course is exploring rhetoric through the lens of human rights events and movements throughout history to situate our own identities and voices through learning to strategically think and add to conversations and environments. We will be reading a variety of news, social, political and academic texts as well as fiction and nonfiction narratives. Topics such as family, community, politics, identity, justice, etc. will emerge.

    Prerequisite: students must place into ENG095 and enroll in both sections simultaneously.

Physical & Life Sciences

  • Instructor: Virginia Turner (vturner@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: BIO103-SJB: Humans/Environment/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Blended (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Thursday, 9:30am-10:45am
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: How do social justice and environmental justice intersect? How have past actions shaped our environment and use of natural resources, and how are current actions shaping our future? Can we, as members of this planet, equitably utilize the available resources? In this course, meant for non-science majors, students will learn the fundamentals of environmental science, the history of the environmental movement, and about those instrumental in shaping environmental policies, both globally and in the United States. Bring your perspectives and join us as we explore and discuss these globally critical issues while expanding our worldview as it relates to our environment.
  • Instructor: Virginia Mchugh-Kurtz (vmchughk@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: BIO120-SJ1: Plants/Society/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Face-to-Face (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Tuesday/Thursday, 11am-12:15pm (lecture) and 12:30-1:45pm (lab)
  • Credits: 4
  • Theme: This section of Biology 120: Plants & Society - Social Justice Studies focuses on the form and function of plants, their diversity, and the economic and environmental impacts of plants in our everyday lives and in society. The theme of this SJS course will be Cannabis and Society. Students will explore the botanical nature, history, environmental impact, public policy, and social disparities of Cannabis. A main component of the course will be focusing on the “War on Drugs,” decriminalization of Cannabis, policy reform, and racial justice. BIO 120 fulfills the life science lab requirement.
  • Instructor: Joseph Wachter (Jwachter@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: CHM103-SJ1: Chem Connection/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Blended/Flex (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: MW 2pm-4:45pm (Lab – Wednesday only)
  • Credits: 4
  • Theme: Did you know that the Ancient Greek root of “pharmacy,” pharmakon (φάρμακον), means both medicine and poison? In this lab science course, meant for non-science majors, students will explore the social nature of chemistry by asking questions like: 
     
    What is the difference between medicine and poison? 
    Can chemicals be good? Bad? Neutral? 
    Who gets to decide? 
    Who has access to good chemicals? Bad ones? 
    Who is punished or rewarded for using certain chemicals? 
     
    Exploring these questions will take students on a tour of the chemical world, from the environmental chemistry of plastic waste, water quality, and climate change to the chemistry of drugs, medicines, poisons, and explosives, while also learning the fundamentals of chemistry in a lab-focused setting.

Humanities & Fine Arts

  • Instructor: Michael Bentley (mbentley@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: HUM107-SJW: Cultures of Africa/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Online Asynchronous (final 13 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: n/a
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: in this course we will explore how three ideologies, which were each essential to the African Independence Movement (Negritude, Afrocentrism, and Pan-Africanism) have empowered scholars, artists, and freedom fighters across the African diaspora to remember and re-imagine what it means to be African, to be human, and to be free. Students will have the opportunity to explore how these ideas challenge and empower them to think more critically about their own identities and their relationship to power. IAI HF 904N. 

    [HUM107 will be offered every fall and spring semester.]
  • Instructor: Michael Bentley (mbentley@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: HUM108-SJW: Intro/Black and Latino Studies/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Face-to-Face (final 13 Weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Tuesday/Thursday, 12pm-1:40pm 
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: TBD
  • Instructor: Michael Bentley (mbentley@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: HUM110-SJW: Women & Creativity/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Online Asynchronous (second 8 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: n/a
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: In this asynchronous section of HUM 110 we will explore how activist art and autobiography have been used as powerful tools for representing and reshaping our world. We will study the life, work, and ideas of intersectional feminist and womanist artist-activists who have actively sought to re-envision the relationship between their womanhood and their world. In the process, you will explore how your own identity and experience influence your assumptions and expectations about the role of art and artists in today's world. Finally, you will have an opportunity to experiment with the creative power of telling your own story. Fulfills Humanities and Fine Arts Requirement. IAI HF 907D.
  • Instructor: Andre Berchiolly (aberchio@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: LIT112-SJW: Lit & Film/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Online Asynchronous (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: N/A
  • Theme: In this course we will explore the historical and cultural context of film adaptations over time and in relation to social justice. This course will allow the opportunity to engage with original texts and ideas (the spirit of the text) and the context of representation relating to contemporary, modern, and post-modern adaptations. We will also look into social media responses (public discourse) relating to representation in film adaptation. We will explore such questions as: how are different aspects of society and culture represented in literature and film; how do culture and society influence adaptation; how, where, and when do you see yourself represented in media; and how do dominant and non-dominant cultures use.
  • Instructor: Rebecca Scott (rscott1@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: PHI105-SJ1: Intro/Philosophy/Soc Justice 
  • Modality (PoT): Face-to-Face (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Monday/Wednesday, 9:30-10:45am 
  • Theme: in this course, we will explore a range of philosophical principles and problems of philosophy as seen in different schools of thought, particularly as they relate to the theme of justice. Inspired by abolitionist calls for a radical reimagining of political possibility, we will explore our own conceptions of justice by engaging in a creative, collaborative world-uilding project. Throughout the semester, we will work together as a class to reimagine what justice might look like through the creation of a fictional world that represents our own conceptions of justice. Specific topics will be based on student interest but may include things such as religious belief, education and knowledge, the ontology of race and gender, (dis)ability, human choice and accountability, love and marriage practices, the value of art, and more. IAI H4 900.  
     
    [PHI105 will be offered every Fall. PHI101 will be offered in Spring.]

  • Instructor: Kaveh Aenehzodaee
  • Banner Title: PHI120-SJ1: Soc/Political Phi/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Face-to-Face (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Monday/Wednesday 12:30pm-1:45pm 
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: Political philosophy investigates a constellation of questions: what does justice demand? How should our social and political institutions be arranged? What, if anything, legitimizes the state? And how should we respond to deep political disagreements? Answering these questions involves generating distant visions of well-ordered societies and ideal public life. But crucially it also involves formulating concrete guidance for shifting the status quo—for dismantling persistent forms of injustice which have shaped our existing social world, including racial and gender injustice and the continuing legacy of colonialism. In this survey, we will examine a variety of theoretical and practical answers to these major questions. In the process, you will deepen your own political outlook in ways that are responsive to major injustices.

Social & Behavioral Sciences

  • Instructor: Amaziah Finley (fa17019@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: ANT101-SJ1: Intro to Anthro/Soc Justice 
  • Modality (PoT): Face-to-Face (16 weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Monday/Wednesday 3pm-4:15pm 
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: This introduction to Anthropology class explores the four fields in a way that actively unravels ethnocentrism, which is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others. By understanding and appreciating the diversity of cultures worldwide, anthropology can help individuals develop a more open-minded and empathetic perspective towards others. We explore the colonial origins of the discipline, unified human development, primatology, Paleoanthropology, archeology, language, fieldwork and culture, global economy, medical anthropology, religion, intersectionality, race, gender, and cultural relativism. For the final project, students will be asked to create a portfolio of resistance and reflection to that their voices matter.  
     
    [ANT101 will be offered every Fall. ANT202 will be offered in Spring.]
  • Instructor: Monica Edwards (medwards@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: SOC101-SJW: Sociology/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Face-to-Face (16 Weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Tuesday/Thursday 12:30pm-1:45pm
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: In our time together, we will engage in analysis of the structure and dynamics of human society.  We will explore theoretical and empirical work to observe and analyze social norms, groups, intergroup relations, social change, social stratification, and institutions.  This course will dive into questions of social organization, social change, and social justice through an exploration of the intersection of food systems and systemic racism; we will do so with a focus on outcomes related to the climate crisis and Covid pandemic.  Emerging from sociological analyses of our complex interdependence is a push for compassion and solidarity; as such, the policies of the class will reflect this larger sociological--and feminist--ethos of care.  IAI S7 900.  3 Credit Hours.  Open Educational Resources, Social/Behavioral Sci-AA/AS, Sociology Elective, Social/Behavioral Sciences-AAS.

  • Instructor: Kelly Pinter (pk33410@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: SOC205-SJ1: Social Problems/Social Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Face-to-Face (16 Weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Monday/Wednesday, 9:30am-10:45am 
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme: This section of Social Problems explores various approaches to determining what lies at the root of societal issues and injustices. Students will be introduced to theoretical points of view that aim to critically examine social problems in relation to class (conflict theory), race (critical race theory), gender (feminist theory), and other social identities. Topics include problems in education, family violence, and environmental issues. Student projects will focus on efforts to improve police-community relations, decrease domestic violence and sexual assault on college campuses, create more sustainable lifestyles at both the micro and macro level, and making educational experiences more equitable for all students.

Electives

  • Instructor: DuBoi McCarty (dmccarty@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: DIV101-SJB: Diversity in US/Soc Justice
  • Modality (PoT): Blended (Final 13 Weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Wednesdays, 12pm-1:15pm 
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme:  In this course, the focus is on exploring culture and other diversity issues and topics utilizing an interactive personal development format. Students will examine their intersecting identities while discussing dimensions of their own culture. The culture and historical experiences of social affinity groups related to Ability, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Religion, and Race//Ethnicity in the United States are also explored. Students will also analyze the dynamics of prejudice and discrimination between groups and the impact of social power differences on peoples’ lives. The experiential nature of this course will give students the opportunity to dialogue about diversity and social justice topics and to develop skills necessary to interact effectively in a diverse society. Students will complete a final course assignment addressing a diversity or social justice topic of their choosing with instructor approval.

    [DIV101 will be offered every fall, spring, and summer semester.]
  • Instructor: Kelly Coronado (kcoronad@harpercollege.edu)
  • Banner Title: LNG105-SJ6: INT To LNG/LING/Soc Justice 
  • Modality (PoT): Blended (Final 13 Weeks)
  • Meeting Time: Monday 5:30-7:10pm
  • Credits: 3
  • Theme:  this course explores language and focuses on issues of social justice in English language education in the U.S.—Specifically, we will study language origins, properties, use, structure, and meaning. Through studying sound, word-formation, and syntactic systems, we will look at language hierarchies in American society and how one’s language proficiency is attached to one’s worth in society. Students will learn and research past and current pedagogy used for bilingual education through a critical lens to address equity gaps in the different models and try to determine best practices for equitable English language education.  
     
    [LNG105 will be offered every fall semester. LNG205 will be offered every Spring.] 

For more information, contact the Social Justice Studies Coordinator:

Michael Bentley

847.925.6271

socialjustice@harpercollege.edu  

 

Last Updated: 5/13/25